According to an article in Hindustan Times, “Over the last twenty years, the practice of law in India has changed more rapidly and comprehensively than in any comparable period in history.”
Even though legal technology has been evolving for many years, in the past 2-years, it has experienced a sudden spike in growth due to changes in work patterns and client demands.
Although some legal firms and lawyers were creative and tech-savvy prior to COVID hit, the pandemic has forced the rest of the legal professionals to learn these trends in order to grow their efficiency and productivity.
A rise in emerging trends in the legal industry is now replacing traditional legal services, enabling the sector to deal with the increasing competition and maintain a strong position in the market.
In turn, it has definitely impacted the institutional curriculum that prepares the students for the legal profession making it necessary for legal educational institutes to keep up with the ongoing trends.
It is mandatory for law colleges in Delhi, Noida, Pune, or any city across the country to equip the institutions with technologically advanced curriculum, competency-based learning, flexibility, and practice-oriented teaching methods.
In this blog, we will try to give you some insights about the latest trends in technology and how it has changed the whole scenario of imparting law education to the students.
Innovative trends getting incorporated in legal education:
- Flipped Classrooms: This kind of blended learning allows students to gain exposure to education at home before practicing it in class. It is the opposite of the conventional practice where teachers introduce the content at school, then assign homework and projects to be completed by the students independently at home.
- Role Plays: The purpose of role-playing is to allow students to act out the part of another person. The students are typically given an open-ended situation that requires them to make a decision, resolve a conflict, or act out the conclusion of an unfinished story.
- Think-Pair-Share: It is a unique technique that involves students thinking alone and then discussing their ideas with a partner and then sharing their ideas with the whole class. It is a great way to increase student participation in class discussions, ensure all students get a chance to answer questions, and bring out students who may be shy or under-confident about speaking in class. In addition, this strategy can help develop critical thinking, persuasive skills, and debate skills.
It’s time to become familiar with the following technologies:
It’s vital to stay on top of evolving trends and keep up with the ever-changing world of law, whether it’s learning about artificial intelligence or even the basics of IT skills.
Some of the technologies that students and professionals should be familiar with:
Artificial intelligence:
AI refers to the use of computer technology to replicate the intelligent behavior of humans or to do specific tasks that require human intelligence. Artificial intelligence is used in law firms for document review, legal research, contract analysis, proofreading and rewriting.
As we all know, there is always a need for technology that can help to solve the case more easily and quickly. Although law students do not have to be an expert in every technology application, they should be able to critically evaluate how technology can affect client outcomes.
Blockchain Technology:
Blockchain is used in cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, but it has a lot more potential beyond that. People have just begun to realize its full potential outside of financial transactions.
Blockchain networks can be used to facilitate, execute, and enforce negotiations and agreements through smart contracts. The definition of a smart contract is a computer program that acts as a contract – the terms are pre-programmed, and it can self-execute and enforce itself. These smart contracts are helping lawyers to be more specific and up-to-date about the legal specifications and communication becomes more clear.
Big Data Analytics:
There are endless uses of Big Data; from filing a case to tracking down the evidence; it plays a major role in everything. Despite our expectations, Big Data is proving to be much more than we expected.
With the advent of Big Data, law enforcement officers have access to new innovative techniques that can help them catch a greater number of criminals more effectively. Not only do they have access to tons of digitized data, but the officers also can assess upcoming threats within the community.
What is the need to enhance these skills?
COVID-19 has revealed the necessity of certain changes in the legal industry. The use of technology is on the rise among litigation practitioners as well as law firms. The current situation has taught people to search for long-term alternatives over available resources. As a result, technology adoption has become essential for survival and success.
Here are a few technological softwares that are helping lawyers and law firms to move forward in such situations:
- Time and Billing Software
- Customer Relationship Management
- Document Management Solution
- Finance and Accounting Software
- Proofread and Review
- Knowledge Management Software
- Case Management Software
So, if you are among the aspiring students who want to pursue law as a career option these are the necessary technological skills you must acquire. These shall help you to build your career and upskill as a law professional.
Asian Law College is one of such law colleges in Noida that provides an industry & technology -Updated Legal Education. Not only that, it also gives you an opportunity to acquire additional diplomas and certification to enhance your skills and learn the latest trends and tactics.