Automation in the Legal Sector
Overview
Since the industrial revolution, most industries have sought to increase efficiencies and maximise profits through automating as much of their routine workflow as possible. Until the 80s and 90s, the majority of automation concerned physical processes, such as factory work. But once computers had become a more established part of professional workplaces, it was possible to start automating routine office tasks. Over the past decade or so, law firms have joined the automation revolution, adopting various forms of legal technology which allow them to leave various routine tasks to computer software.
What types of automation are used by law firms?
Automated billing
Fee earners have traditionally had to spend time at the end of each monthly billing period on billing administration, especially in the case of smaller firms without a dedicated finance team. Calculating invoices obviously detracts from valuable time which could otherwise be used on dealing with client matters or generating new work.