Over the next two decades, the legal profession is set to undergo transformations that are nothing short of revolutionary. Richard Susskind—author of Tomorrow’s Lawyers—predicts that by 2040, AI will have fundamentally altered how legal services are delivered.
While some legal professionals remain sceptical, Susskind is adamant: the long-term impact of AI is vastly underestimated.
AI in Law: Overhyped or Underestimated?
The legal sector has witnessed a surge of interest in artificial intelligence, sparking both excitement and scepticism. Some critics argue that AI’s influence is exaggerated, while others see its immense untapped potential. According to Susskind, short-term expectations for AI may indeed be inflated—there are no “robot lawyers” set to replace the legal profession tomorrow. However, the long-term outlook paints a different picture: by 2040, AI will be deeply woven into the fabric of legal practice.
The transition will be gradual yet monumental. Machines are expected to take over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing human lawyers to focus on strategic, high-leverage work. “It’s not a question of if, but when,” Susskind asserts, predicting that the 2020s will be the decade where AI begins to make significant inroads into the legal profession.
How AI Will Transform Legal Work Over the Next Two Decades
The changes AI will bring to the legal field are not superficial. By 2040, AI will be a cornerstone of how legal services are provided and consumed. Here are some of the most impactful ways AI is expected to reshape the profession:
1. Document Analysis and Machine Learning
Currently, lawyers dedicate a substantial amount of time to document analysis, a task ripe for AI automation. Machine learning systems are already proficient at sifting through vast amounts of legal data, pinpointing patterns, and identifying relevant information faster and more accurately than humans. As these systems advance, tasks like contract review, litigation document analysis, and due diligence will increasingly fall within AI’s domain, drastically improving efficiency and reducing human error.
2. Legal Question Answering Systems
AI-powered legal question answering tools are evolving rapidly. Using natural language processing (NLP), these systems can understand and interpret complex legal language. Susskind envisions AI that can answer intricate legal questions with high accuracy, providing both legal professionals and clients with on-demand, reliable guidance. This evolution is democratising access to legal information, making high-quality legal guidance more readily available.
3. Predictive Analytics for Legal Cases
Another area poised for transformation is predictive analytics. AI tools capable of analysing data from past cases can forecast the outcomes of legal disputes, providing valuable insights for litigation strategies. As these predictive models become more sophisticated, they will become indispensable for legal teams, helping them make data-driven decisions and better assess the risks and rewards of pursuing certain cases.
4. Automation of Routine Legal Tasks
AI will revolutionise the way routine legal tasks are managed. From legal research to drafting contracts, AI systems will perform these functions with increasing precision. This automation will not only streamline workflows but also force a shift away from the traditional billable hour model towards more value-based pricing structures. By automating routine work, lawyers can dedicate more time to client relationships, strategic decision-making, and other complex tasks that require human expertise.
AI-Driven Legal Research: A New Standard
AI has already begun to redefine legal research, turning what was once an arduous, time-consuming process into something far more efficient. In the past, legal professionals could spend hours, or even days, combing through documents and databases. Today, AI can scan massive amounts of information in seconds, pinpointing relevant cases and precedents with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
This efficiency does more than just save time; it also cuts costs for clients and enhances the overall quality of legal work. By using AI-driven research tools, lawyers can handle a greater volume of cases, provide more strategic advice, and deliver results faster.
Case in Point: Holding Redlich’s AI Revolution
As covered in Lawyers Weekly, Holding Redlich—a leading Australian law firm—recently embraced generative AI to overhaul its research processes. Their journey shows just how powerful AI can be:
- Reduced research time: A task that once took 4.5 hours was completed in just 35 minutes with AI assistance.
- Enhanced efficiency: Lawyers at the firm reported saving several hours per week on routine research, freeing up time for strategic, client-focused work.
- Upskilling: Many legal professionals expressed gratitude for the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets and work more efficiently with the assistance of AI.
One of the standout features they highlighted was AI-driven case summarisation. This tool allows lawyers to quickly identify relevant cases and avoid wasting time reading those that are not. The firm noted that, while adapting to these new tools presented initial challenges, the benefits have been undeniable: improved client service, greater staff satisfaction, and a future-ready practice.
Cutting-Edge AI, Without the Hefty Price Tag
At CourtAid, we are driven by a similar vision: making AI-powered legal research accessible to all legal professionals.
Our platform provides access to over 500,000 documents, supported by powerful and intuitive features that streamline research workflows, including advanced case summarisation and document analysis. However, unlike other high-cost solutions, we believe that advanced legal tech should be within reach for everyone—from large firms to solo practitioners. Our pricing is designed to empower legal teams without draining their budgets.
Preparing for the AI-Driven Legal Future
The future of law is undeniably intertwined with artificial intelligence, and professionals who fail to adapt may find themselves struggling to keep up. However, this doesn’t spell the end for human lawyers. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new era where lawyers work in tandem with AI, focusing on areas that require human judgement, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
Susskind emphasises that lawyers should see AI as a powerful ally rather than a threat. The legal professionals of tomorrow will be those who understand how to harness AI’s capabilities to enhance their work, delivering faster and more accurate legal services.
At CourtAid, we’re excited to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our AI-powered platform is designed to keep legal professionals ahead of the curve by automating routine tasks, enhancing research capabilities, and enabling lawyers to achieve better outcomes for their clients.
As AI continues to reshape the legal industry, tools like CourtAid will become indispensable for staying competitive in this increasingly evolving landscape.
Become a tech-forward legal professional with CourtAid by your side—try it for free here.