According to a research conducted by BML Munjal University School of Law and Vahura, a legal search and consulting firm, the legal profession will see a disruptive change, with at least 20% of the routine legal works to be automated in the future.

The study, called 'Decoding the NextGen Legal Professionals', conducted a survey amongst working lawyers, wherein they were asked questions on how the legal profession will shape up in the future. As many as 42% of the survey sample believed that 20% of the routine works will be taken over by technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. These routine works may include contract drafting, due diligence, and the like. In fact, a majority of 67% of in-house respondents (legal professionals working with companies) say that 50% of the works will be undertaken by technology.

Does this mean employment will decrease in the legal sector?

According to the study, job losses would be witnessed in the field of routine works, or clerical works. But the legal works, like corporate governance and tax planning involve a lot of intellectual inputs and judgments, and that kind of work cannot be taken over by technology yet. Such areas are highly important aspects of the legal field and cannot just vanish or get taken over by non-human entities.

The survey says that there are certain skills that would be considered the most crucial for lawyers to survive and thrive in the competitive legal industry over the next 3-5 years. The top skill required would be of understanding and anticipating client needs, that amounts to 81%. This is followed by technical proficiency, at 74%, commercial awareness at 71%, and time-management, 57%.

The researchers claim that a lot of law firms are now looking for such soft skills in upcoming young lawyers. These soft skills are generally neglected by law schools.

The survey also points out that law schools should have an emphasis on, and provide the students with hands-on practical training in contract drafting, pleadings and procedure on building the fundamentals of law. Such areas are what law firms and lawyers want in their potential recruits. The need to build skills in drafting and negotiation is high.

The survey was conducted so as to help law schools as well as students to recalibrate as an institutions and worthy candidates, respectively.