Litigation: A Digital Future

As the legal industry undergoes a profound digital transformation, the methods for resolving disputes are evolving at an unprecedented pace. A recent article by Savannah Seymour, "Litigation: A digital future," provides a crucial analysis of this shift, highlighting the rise of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and the distinct paths of civil and commercial litigation.

The article identifies ODR as a powerful tool for enhancing efficiency and accessibility. By enabling remote resolution, ODR saves significant time and costs for all parties involved and makes the legal process more accessible to those who face geographical or physical barriers.

However, a critical disparity in technological adoption lies between commercial and civil litigation. Commercial litigation having already embraced digital tools, with e-bundling and AI-assisted disclosure becoming common practice, driven by data-heavy corporate environments and court mandates. In contrast, civil litigation is on the cusp of a more fundamental disruption.

This vision, while promising, is not without its challenges. The article raises valid concerns about ensuring access for vulnerable claimants who may still require human support and the difficulty in designing systems that can accurately identify when human intervention is necessary. Furthermore, new technologies introduce novel legal questions such as determining the scope of liability where technology introduces complexity in establishing such.

Despite these challenges, the trajectory is clear: technological advancement is an inevitable force across all litigation. The ultimate goal should be to use technology not just for efficiency, but to support broader access to justice, enable greener legal practices, and free up lawyers to focus on more complex, high-value work.

At TrialView, we are at the forefront of this transition. We understand that the future is not just about moving hearings online, but about building a seamless, integrated digital ecosystem for dispute resolution. Our platform is designed to bridge the gap between civil and commercial needs, providing the robust, user-friendly technology required to make the digital future of law efficient, accessible, and equitable for all.

To gain a deeper understanding of these industry trends, we recommend reading the full article here.