Societies are defined by their laws. Whether they deal with civil rights and responsibilities, punishment systems, or economic trade agreements, the law is at the heart of any process, decision, and policy that is put in place.
As we keep that in mind, let us explore three key legal trends currently at the forefront.
Technology and Convenience
Among many other things, one of the most important tasks of any attorney is to conduct a proper deposition. If you are not familiar with the term, a deposition is often defined as a process of examination of a witness carried out through oral testimony and later put in a written transcript. This transcript is then used in the court of law during a trial.
But what if the lawyer lives far away from the client or cannot take the time to visit him? What about in cases where the amount of funds required for a proper defense is limited, and cost-cutting is a priority?
While there are different ways to deal with these and other logistical issues, arguably the best one is to use the advantages that technological development has provided all industries and fields. Today, many well-respected law firms are providing their clientele with state-of-the-art, high-definition videoconferencing services.
Via the use of platforms like Google Meet and Zoom, customers can count on worry-free remote depositions that move cases forward quicker and eliminate the cost and hassle associated with travel. As a result, distance and time are no longer an impediment to getting the best possible service.
Artificial Intelligence and Decision-making
A second trend in the area of law also deals with technology, albeit somewhat differently. In this case, we are not talking about lawyers and law firms or the logistics involved in the carrying out of these processes. Rather, we will look into those in charge of making the most vital decisions in low and high-profile cases.
The biggest difference between a man and a machine is that a machine cannot think. As such, it does not take into account circumstances when performing a role. While a human being will perform better or worse at work based on how he feels that day, how much sleep he had the night before, or how motivated he is in the position, a computer or robot will not consider any of these factors. Instead, it will do whatever it is programmed to do regardless of the current state of affairs.
When it comes to the law, this implies two things. The first one is transparency and accuracy. A robot judge cannot be bribed, and decisions are made free of emotion. The second is specificity. A man hurting another man to save his family is not the same as a man hurting another man out of pleasure. But can the AI judge understand this and make the right call? Soon enough, the answer will most likely be yes.
The Standardization of Law
Let us imagine a particular situation, one that happens so often that it has become a bit of a subject of humor among those involved in maritime law. Let us imagine that a pirate ship from country A decides to attack a vessel from country B in international waters. After days of pursuit by the local navy, the members of the pirate ship are captured and will now face a court of law.
While this sounds like a pretty straightforward situation, it is anything but. There are several legal matters to consider. Chief among them is which country has the right to prosecute said criminals. After all, both the crime and their apprehension were done on international waters.
Other factors include the nationality of the people on board both ships, whether there is a standing legal treaty between both nations, and the type of crime committed as well as the different laws against it in different places.
As you can see, things can get very complicated fast. And it’s not only in matters of piracy. What about global cyberterrorism instances where one or several individuals in different places hack into a wide variety of systems remotely? What is there to be done in cases like these?
Luckily, governments across the globe have taken note and are now starting to create standardized laws that cover all types of situations regardless of location.
Three of the most important legal trends are the use of technology for convenience, the advent of artificial intelligence in decision-making, and issues related to international law. As the world becomes smaller and we are more and more interdependent, they are sure to define the industry for the years to come.
