How Technology will Shape the Legal Industry in the Future Through MENA Region

By Abdul Hakim M. – Founder and CEO, CodEngines Software – Dubai, UAE

In this fast-approaching world, technology is a key trend to follow in order to cope up with the rapidly increasing changes and diversity, and to be prepared for what the future has in store. We live in an interconnected and interdependent world that seems to be progressing rapidly alongside technology each day.

The legal industry in the Middle East has always been identified as being unique and unfettered with traditional working standards, which is why it is reputed as a sector that seems to be dawdling in the acceptance of technology adaptation. In an era where affordable legal practices and lawyer collaboration with other professionals should be promoted, there is a chance that the professionals of this industry have taken a back seat, in an attempt to overlook the numerous advantages that technology has to offer.

Even though the legal industry has commenced to incorporate technology, which in itself is a bold and smart move, it isn’t a surprise that the industry still lags behind as compared to others. Traditionally, lawyers create their own working style and stick to their specific ways to practice law under ethical standards, which is why it is mandatory to seize the opportunity to leverage lawyers’ knowledge in various ways- something that did not exist in the past.

A traditional legal system consists of multiple roles including that of lawyers and technologists, process/project managers, financiers, operation managers, data analytics professionals and paraprofessionals- all who work manually. This states that the traditional methods of practice are time-consuming that also require additional efforts.

 It is particularly important for the legal industry to keep up with the technological developments because of the competition and client demand that seeks more efficiency in order to provide improved legal service. However, the current usage systems are non-friendly, making it rather challenging for lawyers to understand, which might be one of the reasons why they are distracted to acclimate with it completely.

Where we stand

In the UAE, we believe change is inevitable. As per the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who stresses on the importance of technology implementation by the year 2021, a ray of hope for the industries to step ahead in the game has arisen. He revealed plans to incorporate the National Innovation Strategy in the region, which will allow innovation to reach to a whole new level. Additionally, he vows to implement a culture of innovation that is embedded amongst experts, firms and governments of various sectors such as technology, space and education.

Technology, in this region, remains on the basis of automation, computers and electronics, as compared to international level of modern technology adaptation that consists of cyber physical systems, Internet of things as well as networks that connect various departments of the industry.

Our legal evaluators studied the law market with a full detailed survey in favor to achieve the simplicity ways to accomplish our target and aim. Ideally, law firms and legal departments continue to use traditional workarounds, involving use of shared computer drive, along with manual processes such as storing documents in a warehouse facility, sending out invoices by hand and tracking time spent on individual matters on a spreadsheet. Regulatory gaps exist in this sector because the region endures to be in the phase to accustom modern technology over traditional ways. These gaps are widening and technology advances are increasing promptly, leaving us far behind in the race. 

In 2016, $224 million was invested in the industry; in 2017, $233 million was invested. As you can see, gradually the total number of transactions decreased, and the average amount of one transaction increased. But in 2018, there happened to be explosive growth and the total amount of investment became greater than ever before- Forbes.com

Automation systems: a game changer

We strongly believe that automation systems will be a true game changer in the legal industry around the world. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence and automation processes have taken the world by storm, exposing an array of benefits that it holds.

Today, in the latest advent of transformation through modern technology, blockchain is redefining automation and security as an efficiency solution that will pave way to a new era for the legal industry. Smart contracts are seen to be revolutionizing the traditional process, reducing hourly constraints placed on both attorneys and clients- all resulting in faster and improved workflow, quality and efficiency of routine decisions that have been shifting the way lawyers do their job.

A leap forward

As developers of automated systems for the legal industry, we firmly stand by the quote “process automation is the future of law.” We have been a part of the legal industry for over 16 years, including experience with court procedures and legal practice workstyle in the UAE and the Middle East that has helped us realize the dramatic change needed in the systems, which will imply a massive positive impact on the judicial system in the region.

Language barriers can also deter firms from embracing new technologies that are more geared towards English speakers, whereas most of the associates and lawyers in the region are native Arabic speakers. This leads to a tender steep of learning curve because law experts primarily draft in Arabic language.

Cost is an additional concern when it comes to legal firms considering the idea of technology implementation. Many legal organizations do not see a necessity of introducing large-scale practice management software.

Which is why our product CasEngine has been designed keeping the concerns of experts and professionals of the legal industry in mind. Our automation system is bilingual, with adaptable pricing models that help firms of all size to address problems, hence providing greater productivity.  

We promote legal awareness and emphasize UAE’s role in empowering the legal users in favor to redefine the artificial intelligent. We aim to endorse a principle that helps the legal industry to take a step ahead in the future.  

A hassle-free, up-to-date system is what the industry needs in order to reduce the complexity and unpredictability of your work, helping in greater productivity.

Our mission

Automatize the interface of legal industry consumption, making an impact on the practice of law and the administration of justice overall. Automation helps in efficiency and reduces some of the less value-add tasks and costs associated with them. As a result, law firms are able to meet the external pressure to deliver more with less, to showcase their skills and value and to stay ahead in a competitive, modern world.

In conclusion, the fact still remains that the legal industry is yet to fully embrace technology over the traditional ways, but this won’t stay true for too long as the industry has entered a brave new world of competition where automation stands as a strong embodiment of how technology will change the face of law bodies in the coming future.