The way we use information in the legal landscape has changed - Are you ready?

The way we use information in the legal landscape has changed. When it comes to court work, more and more legal professionals now source their information using a laptop, a PC, a tablet, a mobile phone, or an e-book. The age of paper-based information, it seems, is evolving.

What are the results telling us?

The smaller law firms have seen an increase in black legal professionals but a lack of BEE credentials is still widely evident. Sixteen percent of respondents say that lockdown has had a negative impact on family law thus increasing billing by 11% for trust, wills and estates.

The impact of the pandemic

COVID-19’s biggest impact has been on billings for civil procedure with 34% of respondents saying there has been a negative impact. Legal professionals have been required to adapt to a new way of working and an evolving legal system. This environment means that every decision you make now even more vital to your continued success.

LexisNexis in partnership with the Law Society of South Africa have undertaken a study of the recent shifts in the legal industry.

The Legal Tech Report 2021/2022 is an important body of research giving a moment-in-time snapshot of the challenges and concerns facing South Africa’s law profession. This report is focused on the current legal outlook for Advocates and Attorneys. The aim is to contribute towards the development of the legal profession

These are a few of the findings present in the Legal Tech Report 2021/2022.

  • Civil  procedure has pushed legal practitioners to adapt to this evolving legal system. With 34% of legal professionals feeling the negative effects in billings for civil procedure.
  • Since 2021, there has been a regression in white-owned law firms from 60% to 49%. Only 19% of firms are currently fully black owned.
  • Fully owned female law firms have experienced an increase from 20% in 2016, to 27% in 2021.
  • The majority of South African Law firms are made up of small law firms engaged in litigation, debt collecting and conveyancing.
  • Almost a third of firms have changed their operating structure in recent times.
  • Twenty seven percent of respondents have already made investment in technology and 48% of respondents are considering it in the near future or long term.
These are a few of the findings present in the Legal Tech Report 2021/2022.

Download our free 2021/2022 Legal Tech Report to better understand the changes in the legal landscape

Download our free 2021/2022 Legal Tech Report to better understand the changes in the legal landscape

Our 2021/2022 Legal Tech Report predicts the future, so you can plan for it.

Download our free 2021/2022 Legal Tech Report to better understand the changes in the legal landscape