In 1996, Professor Richard Susskind published a seminal book, The Future of Law, Facing the Challenges of Information Technology, predicting that technology would fundamentally reengineer legal practice and the administration of justice.
He argued that IT would do more than speed up traditional tasks, it would transform how legal services are delivered. And many didn’t believe him. In fact, he was severely criticised for suggesting that lawyers would one day use email.
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Last week, marking the 30th anniversary since that first publication, Susskind published a brand new book, The Future of Law, Reflections and Predictions.
In it he reproduces the original text of that first book alongside commentary as to how ideas have endured. He also shares entirely new thoughts on the future of law, with particular regard to the likely impact of AI.
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Appearing on Legal IT Insider’s Inside View in a two-part podcast, Susskind talks with editor Caroline Hill about both the past, and the future.
This is Part One – a wide ranging discussion that takes in what leaders often get wrong and why; whether to date we have seen real innovation or simply ‘faster moving horses’; where the real competition lays for law firms; and why we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve access to justice.
You can listen to the podcast on YouTube and Spotify below. Part Two will be published on Monday 5 October.