The case
Prof. Dr. Richard Susskind sees the legal world as being one of online courts, AI-powered global legal transactions, liberalised markets, commoditisation and alternative sourcing, disruptive start-ups, legal education in virtual reality as well as a new range of legal professions.
Source: Prof. Dr. Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon); Public Lecture at University of Zurich, 15 May 2024
The commentary
Prof. Dr. Susskind claims that we are in for a fundamental change in the legal world as we are about to embark on a time when we will be faced with greater changes than experienced over the past two centuries, i.e. a world of internet-based global firms, online document production, standardised services, outsourcing of legal processes and web-based simulation practice. Legal services will be liberalised, with new jobs for lawyers as well as new employers.
Prof. Dr. Susskind envisions a future where technology-driven changes will reshape the legal profession, i.e. the lawyers of tomorrow will have to embrace technology, adapt to new service delivery models and they will have to leverage innovation to improve legal and judicial services. This is why Susskind invites the next generation of lawyers to utilise technology to improve or even overhaul the way legal and judicial services have been delivered and states that it is both a privilege and an obligation for the lawyers of tomorrow to bring about change as it will be for them to drive the change and navigate the evolving landscape of the legal industry.