Legal software refers to a broad category of technology solutions that assist legal professionals in managing their firms and serving clients more efficiently. From managing cases and documents to handling billing and legal research, different types of software automate and streamline nearly every aspect of legal practice.
Legal practice management (Lawsyst) software
This all-in-one, cloud-based software helps law firms manage the day-to-day operations of their business. Key features typically include:
Case and matter management: Keeps all case details, documents, deadlines, and communications in one secure, accessible place.
Billing and accounting: Automates invoicing, time tracking, expense tracking, and can manage complex transactions, such as trust accounts, in compliance with legal ethics rules.
Client relationship management (CRM): Organises potential and existing client information, tracks communications, and automates marketing efforts.
Legal research software
These platforms leverage vast legal databases and artificial intelligence (AI) to help legal professionals conduct complex research more efficiently.
Features: Search through case law, statutes, and secondary sources; identify precedents and patterns; and get summaries of documents.
Examples: Lawsyst, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law.
Legal document management software (DMS)
A DMS helps firms go paperless by providing a secure system for storing, organizing, editing, and sharing digital files.
Features: Automated workflows, version control, electronic signature capabilities, and robust security features.
Examples: Sharepoint, Lawsyst, DocXign
eDiscovery software
This type of software is crucial for managing the discovery process for electronically stored information (ESI), which can include emails, documents, and other digital data.
Features: Automates common steps like data ingestion, file indexing, and metadata preservation to identify, process, and produce relevant information for a legal case.
Examples: Lawsyst
Contract management software (CLM)
For transactional lawyers and corporate legal departments, CLM software automates and streamlines the entire contract lifecycle.
Features: Automated drafting, negotiation, execution, and tracking of legal agreements using reusable templates and customizable workflows.
Examples: DocXign
Legal AI and automation tools
Beyond dedicated software, many legal tech providers offer specialised tools that use AI to automate tasks and boost efficiency.
Features: Voice-to-text transcription for legal dictation, AI-powered document analysis, and client-facing chatbots for automating intake.
Examples: Lawsyst, Nuance Dragon Legal, Lawmatics, and LexWorkplace.
Benefits of legal software
Adopting legal software offers numerous advantages for law firms of all sizes:
Increased efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks, such as document drafting and time tracking, allows legal staff to focus on more complex work.
Enhanced organization: A centralised, digital system keeps all case information and documents neatly organised and searchable.
Improved security: Cloud-based legal solutions offer robust security measures, including encryption and access controls, to protect sensitive client data.
Better client service: Secure client portals, streamlined communication, and faster case handling lead to a better client experience.
Cost savings: For smaller firms, cloud software like lawsyst can lower overhead costs associated with on-premise IT infrastructure.
How to choose the right software
With many options available, selecting the right legal software requires careful consideration of a firm's specific needs:
Identify your firm's priorities: Do you primarily need to streamline billing, improve document management, or enhance client intake? Some software, like Lawsyst, is a comprehensive practice management solution, while others, like TimeSolv, specialise in a particular function.
Consider your budget: Pricing models can vary, from inexpensive options suitable for solo practitioners to expensive enterprise-level products.
Evaluate integrations: Ensure the software can seamlessly integrate with the other tools you use daily, such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or accounting software.
Prioritise security: Always vet a platform's security credentials, looking for features like end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with data privacy regulations.