The legal profession is undoubtedly steeped in precedent and manual processes—a handful of lawyers, legal researchers, and law students alike still utilize traditional means, methods, sources of law as aids in their respective works, that is, whether it be for legal practice, research, or academic purposes. While such practice is, of course, proper as it is reliable, it is likewise undoubted that the legal field is in the process of undergoing a significant (digital) transformation.

Enter Artificial intelligence (AI)—given its capacity for analysis, automation, and decision-making, it is reshaping the way legal practitioners, legal researchers, and law students approach their work. AI’s influence extends beyond the legal field, with innovations such as the AI-powered Uber clone app demonstrating how automation exemplifies service delivery across various sectors. So, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a law student with hopes of becoming an attorney in the future, understanding (and utilizing) AI’s impact on law—both internationally and within the Philippine context—can provide invaluable insights into the future of the profession. In view thereof, this article seeks to give you an overview of the AI in the legal field in both the general sense and as well as in the Philippine context, using AI-powered tools in legal practice, using AI-powered tools in legal research and study, and the place and role of AI in the future of the legal profession and academe.

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AI in the Legal Field: A General Perspective

AI Software Development practice and  technologies are revolutionizing law practice worldwide.

In global legal systems, AI tools are being leveraged for tasks that were once time-consuming and labor-intensive. To give you a proper illustration, here are but a few areas where AI is making significant strides:

AI for Lawyers, Legal Researchers, and Law Students in General

Internationally, AI-powered platforms like Westlaw Edge and Lexis+ are transforming legal research. These tools utilize natural language processing (NLP) to understand and analyze case law, statutes, and regulations. Developed with expertise from a leading software development company specializing in AI solutions, these platforms leverage advanced algorithms to provide precise answers, identify relevant precedents, and even predict case outcomes based on historical data.

For Lawyers: Document Review and Analysis

Traditional legal research involves manually reviewing and analyzing documents, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error. As stated, AI legal research tools utilize NLP and machine learning algorithms to analyze legal documents, identify relevant concepts, and extract pertinent information, significantly speeding up the research process and improving the accuracy of legal analysis. In the United States, lawyers are using AI to streamline case analysis. A task that once required hours of glossing over cases can now be completed in a few minutes, allowing lawyers to focus on crafting compelling arguments and servicing their client/s.

Aside from streamlining case analysis, AI tools like Kira Systems and ContractPodAI have revolutionized document preparation, review, and management. For example, applications can create and analyze thousands of contracts in seconds, highlighting inconsistencies, identifying “risky clauses,” and suggesting improvements. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for large-scale mergers and acquisitions, where due diligence is critical. In line with this, document automation tools such as HotDocs and DocuSign simplify the creation of legal documents. These AI-powered platforms ensure accuracy while saving time, making them invaluable for tasks like will drafting, incorporation papers, and real estate agreements.

For Lawyers: Case Prediction and Outcome Forecasting

Another useful aspect of ai in the legal industry is that AI algorithms can analyze past case law and legal precedents to predict the possible outcomes of current cases. By analyzing patterns, trends, and similarities between cases, these tools can provide lawyers with valuable insights and aid in decision-making processes. This predictive capability not only saves time but also enables lawyers to develop stronger legal strategies. AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets has given rise to predictive analytics. Tools like Premonition and ROSS Intelligence help lawyers assess the likelihood of success in litigation by examining patterns in judicial decisions, case law, and opposing counsel’s history. This enables lawyers to make informed decisions about case strategy and resource allocation.

For Legal Researchers: Legal Research Assistance

AI legal research tools act as virtual research assistants, assisting lawyers in conducting comprehensive research on specific legal issues. Online research tools—powered by AI or not—can take a lot of forms, for example, it could be in the form of an online repository of laws and case digests, or perhaps an AI chatbot capable of answering legal questions. These tools can provide in-depth analysis, relevant case references, and comparisons of legal arguments.

For Legal Researchers and Students: Legal Research Assistance

AI legal research tools act as virtual research assistants, assisting lawyers in conducting comprehensive research on specific legal issues. These tools can provide in-depth analysis, relevant case references, and comparisons of legal arguments. With AI's ability to quickly search through vast amounts of data, lawyers can access the necessary information and legal precedents within seconds, thereby improving efficiency and productivity. In sum, the use of AI in legal research will allow you to:

1. Save Time: Traditional legal research methods involve manually reviewing and analyzing vast amounts of legal information, which can be incredibly time-consuming. AI legal research tools utilize advanced algorithms to process and analyze this information quickly and accurately. By automating the research process, small practices can save valuable time and allocate resources more efficiently.

2. Improve Accuracy: Human error is always a concern when conducting legal research. AI legal research tools mitigate this risk by leveraging machine learning algorithms and natural language processing to analyze legal documents and extract relevant information. This significantly improves the accuracy of legal analysis and reduces the likelihood of oversight or missing critical details.

3. Save Money: ‘Hiring additional staff solely for legal research purposes can be costly for small practices. AI legal research tools provide a cost-effective alternative by automating research tasks that would traditionally require significant manpower. By reducing the need for additional personnel, small practices can allocate their resources more efficiently and focus on delivering high-quality legal services to their clients.

AI Effectiveness in Sum

Overall, the trend of AI legal research tools is evident given the presence of behemoth software and legal research platforms—such as those mentioned—which embrace the power of AI to launch new products and services in fields such as the legal profession and academe. A Software Development Company plays a key role in building and refining these advanced AI-driven platforms, ensuring they are robust, secure, and user-friendly. AI legal research tools continually learn and adapt based on user interactions and feedback. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, leveraging user behavior insights, these tools can provide more personalized and relevant research results, saving lawyers time by presenting them with the most pertinent information upfront. Additionally, as AI algorithms evolve and improve over time, legal research tools

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AI in Philippine Legal Practice

While AI adoption in the Philippines is still in its nascent stages, its potential to transform the legal landscape is immense.

Nonetheless, here are some areas where AI is beginning to make an impact:

1. Streamlined Legal Research

Filipino legal professionals are increasingly using AI-driven platforms like Digest.PH and other global tools to access case digests, syllabi, and legal commentaries. These platforms reduce the time spent on research, helping law students and practitioners quickly pinpoint the information they need. Digest.PH, in particular, has a number of handy features that will enable legal practitioner, researchers, and law students alike to be more efficient in their respective works, such as:

• Its very own AI chatbot that can answer legal questions;

• Direct links to full case test and case digests thereof and the option to download them; 

• Direct links to thousands of laws and a repository of Taxation, Corporation, and Labor agency issuances;

• Reviewers for law schools subjects and subject-specific syllabus compilations; 

• Citation generation, highlighting tools, and bookmarking functionality—among other useful tools.

2. Court Management Systems

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has embraced technological advancements through initiatives like the eCourts system.

For instance, the Supreme Court is set to draft an “AI Governance Framework for the Judiciary” in recognition of the growing significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial processes.  This initiative aims to outline guidelines for the responsible integration of AI across various areas of court operations and management. The Supreme Court has already commenced pilot testing of AI technologies, including voice-to-text transcription software for court stenographers in the Sandiganbayan and select first-and second-level courts. In addition, several offices within the Court are trialing AI-enhanced platforms designed to streamline legal research.

Furthermore, Chief Justice Gesmundo, in discussing the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, shared the “three pillars for a successful digital transformation: 60% people, 20% process, and 20% technology.” He emphasized that what is critical are the people’s mindset and the culture of transformation and change since people have the highest share in this formula. “To be able to successfully transform digitally, we must build on the strategic alignment towards the initiative, develop capabilities needed to adapt to the change, build and maintain a culture that sustains the change,” he explained.

Senior Associate Justice Leonen highlighted developments in the Court’s eCourt System Version 2.0 (eCourt PH 2.0), which aims to digitalize adjudication processes. Key components of this system include eFiling and eService in civil cases in trial courts; digital case management tools for trial courts; appellate and Supreme Court management applications; and digital appeals for civil cases.  These systems lay the groundwork for future integration of AI technologies, such as automated case scheduling and docket management.

3. Enhanced Access to Justice

AI can play a pivotal role in bridging the justice gap in the Philippines. Chatbots and virtual legal assistants powered by AI can provide basic legal advice to underserved communities, ensuring that justice is accessible to all.

4. Ethical Considerations and Regulation

At a gathering of tech experts during the Manila Tech Summit 2024 at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday, Senior Associate Justice Leonen spoke about the need to balance the benefits of the use of AI and new technology will bring to the courts while also making sure that safeguards are in place to avoid violations of rights. “The legal profession, in particular, has not fully grasped the possibilities of artificial intelligence available to it,” he said during his keynote speech. “But instead of shying away from this challenge, the only way forward is to keep abreast with these developments to come up with more definitive rules in the use of AI and similar technologies.”

He noted that one of the biggest challenges in terms of regulation is addressing cybersecurity concerns. Digitized courts, he said, could face at least a thousand attacks from hackers a day. And while there are existing laws, such as the Data Privacy Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act, these are not enough to keep up with fast-paced developments in AI handling data, he said. “A transformation of our own judicial system geared towards AI advancement means working together with IT professionals who know what we are up against,” said SAJ Leonen, who noted the Philippine courts’ shift to a more digitalized judicial system.

Using AI Tools in Legal Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide

The integration of AI into law doesn’t mean replacing lawyers—it’s about empowering them.

For legal professionals and students, learning to use AI tools effectively is essential. Thus, here's a simple guide to get started:

1. Identify Your Needs

Before utilizing an AI tool, determine what you need help with—this more or less depends on whether you’re a legal practitioner, a legal researcher, or a law student. A legal practitioner might need AI tools that give them answers to their legal queries, draft, prepare, and/ or review a certain document for them, such as in contract management. Legal researchers will tend to use AI tools that allow them to streamline and simplify their research process. Law students, on the other hand, might use AI legal tools for answers to legal queries as well, or perhaps to summarize a certain provision of law or a case. 

2. Choose the Right AI Tool and Familiarizing Yourself With It

Not all AI tools are created equal, as they differ in (1) quality, (2) reliability, and (3) offered product/service. It is thus essential to do ample research on their capabilities, user reviews, and compatibility. Be very wary in choosing (and using) the AI tool that you will be employing for your own respective (legal) use, as it is a very possible that such tools are unreliable and will provide you with false information for the sake of doing so—to the detriment of you, your work, or your client.

Also necessary with the task of choosing the right AI tool is taking the time to familiarize yourself with it. For instance, start with simple searches in legal research tools, and later move on to ways on how you could maximize its use, i.e. the best way to use a certain AI tool. A quick Google or YouTube search will provide you with such information. In this regard, it is likewise important to keep updated of the new features of certain AI tools in order to maximize such use.

3. Ethical Use

Always ensure that the use of AI complies with ethical standards. For instance, be transparent with clients about the role of AI in your services, and protect sensitive data in accordance with laws like the Philippine Data Privacy Act. In the case of legal researchers as well as law students, AI tools can definitely be used as research or study aids, but should not, in themselves, be your only sole source when it comes to your research and academic papers—make sure that your works are still the products of your own creation, and that you are not committing plagiarism in the process of doing so!

A Disclaimer: AI Tools Are Not Lawyers

In this regard, it is important to always remember that while AI for legal research holds incredible promise, it can also lead to career-damaging pitfalls. When determining the best AI for legal research, it is important to never forget that AI tools are not lawyers. As an attorney, there are specific ethical obligations that must be respected and adhered to in your work on behalf of clients. An actual, real-life example of the potential pitfalls (and career-damaging ramifications) of using AI powered legal research tools for complex tasks can be found in a New York lawyer who relied far too much on AI technology and neglected their professional obligations. Specifically, this attorney made national headlines after it was discovered they relied on ChatGPT for a legal brief in a client's personal injury case that was filed in court. It was later discovered that the AI-generated brief cited six non-existent court decisions.

To End

Artificial intelligence is more than a technological trend—it’s a transformative force reshaping the legal profession. Wherever you're practicing in the world, and whether you're a legal practitioner, researcher, or student, mastering AI tools and techniques will not only enhance your efficiency but also prepare you for the future of law. I, for one, do believe that the best lawyers are not just those who know the law but also those who adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Nonetheless, be mindful of the consequences that irresponsible use of AI might bring. 

After all, it’s you who is the actual (or prospective) lawyer, and not the system.

Digest.PH is the best legal research tool in the Philippines. Check out our collection of free Case digests!

At Digest.PH, we understand the importance of quality resources for legal research and education. That's why we offer a curated collection of free legal case digests, meticulously selected to aid practitioners, scholars, and students in their pursuit of legal knowledge. Explore our repository today and empower yourself with essential insights into the world of law! With access to reliable sources and online platforms, conducting thorough research has never been easier. Elevate your understanding of the law today with the help of the best legal research in the Philippines!

References

1. Leverage AI Legal Research Tools for Your Small Practice (Austin)

2. How Law Firms Can Use AI: 7 Ideas (+ Examples) (NineTwoThree.co)

3. Reduce Contract Risks with AI-Driven Clause Managamenet (ContractPodAi)

4. Seven Key Benefits of Legal Document Automation (Thomson Reuters)

5. Using AI for Predictive Analytics in Litigation (Hallene & Allen)

6. AI for Legal Reserach: Applications, Architecture, Benefits, Tools, and Developmetn (LeewayHertz)

7. Chief Justice Gesmundo Speaks on Technology Driven PH Judicairy (Supreme Court)

8. SC to Establish AI Governance Framework for the Judiciary (Supreme Court)

9. SAJ Leonen Despite Risks, Legal System Should Keep Abreast With AI Developments

10. Laywer Used ChatGPT in Court and Cited Fake Cases (Forbes)