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In-house lawyers turn to smaller firms & AI

22 November 2023
Issue: 8050 / Categories: Legal News , Artificial intelligence , Profession
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One third of in-house legal teams aim to use artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce costs, research has found

Moreover, 39% will shift work from big firms to smaller firms; and 66% will bring work in-house (compared to 59% last year), according to a survey by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) in partnership with litigation and investigation platform Everlaw.

The report, The state of collaboration in corporate legal departments, published last week, also found only 42% of in-house lawyers happy with cost transparency and 38% with cost predictability. One quarter intend to cut the number of law firms they work with next year.

Respondents also highlighted obstacles they face when collaborating with other departments. ‘Legal teams continue to be seen as roadblocks on projects and nearly half reported they are consulted too late in strategic corporate decisions,’ said Blake Garcia, the ACC’s senior director of business intelligence. ‘Technology adoption is likely the most efficient way teams can improve communications with every corner of the organisation.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has secured £1.1m in its first use of an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO)

The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
County court cases are speeding up, with the median time from claim to hearing 62 weeks for fast, intermediate and multi-track claims—5.4 weeks faster than last year
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