LexisNexis and Janders Dean announce the 2018 Legal Innovation Index winners

Australasia News

04
Jul
2018

Editor

Democratisation and accessibility of the law key to legal innovation

LexisNexis and Janders Dean have announced the winners of the 2018 Legal Innovation Index, which illustrated that accessibility, knowledge sharing, and automation are key trends driving legal innovation across Australia and New Zealand.

“The Innovation Index provides a unique insight into the role that legal innovation can play for organisations and demonstrates that LegalTech is being used to drive growth in our region,” said Simon Wilkins, General Manager of LexisNexis Australia.

“This year we have seen steps taken towards the democratisation of the law, as firms and service providers have sought to improve accessibility of their services and platforms to their clients. We have seen this manifested through cutting edge augmented reality technology, and by humanising the user experience during client onboarding.

“These winners are the current and future leaders of the industry, and it’s clear that in their hands we have a bright, progressive future to look forward to,” Mr Wilkins added.

The winners from the Organisation category are:

• Telstra: implemented a legal technology program to improve knowledge sharing, and matter and document management, incorporating a change management process during rollout.
• Housing New Zealand: created significant efficiency gains by producing a set of standardised contract templates and engaging document automation company LawHawk. 
• Gilbert + Tobin: developed the Verification<i> tool to streamline the IPO verification process.
• Pinsent Masons: implemented a full agility workspace model in its Melbourne office – encouraging people to work however best suits their lifestyle and work preferences.
• sprintlaw: created sprintyard - a cloud-based legal knowledge management tool applying ‘folksonomic’ thinking.
• Corrs Chambers Westgarth: used augmented reality to communicate digital intelligence and content to its client - REA Group. The firm has also created Corrs Cyber – a service that captures and analyses data for clients experiencing a cyber incident.
• Westpac: created the CLS Service Centre, a 24/7 easy access resource offering guidance for everyone across the Westpac Group. The corporation also worked with King & Wood Mallesons, to develop an ISDA auto-generation tool to streamline the drafting process. 

The winners from the Individual category are:

• Athol Birtley, Settify: is co-founder and CTO of Settify, a family law platform which improves the client induction experience by personalising feedback and humanising language.
• Garth Brown, Brown & Brown Conveyancers: developed the "Ask Conveyancer App" – an information source for use in the process of exchanging contracts for conveyancing.
• Katie Leupin, KDL Virtual: created a cloud based administration service for small law firms, solo practitioners, and lawyers operating a virtual law firm.
• Ravi Nayyar, LifeLedger: developed a tool which increases participation in clinical trials by driving awareness and giving individuals greater control over their medical data. 

Justin North, Director of Janders Dean, said “This year’s entries have shown that legal innovation can be a key driver of growth for organisations. Legal tech solutions are increasing the workflow of legal teams, cutting the time taken for projects to actuate, and saving costs for organisations in the process. 

“Organisations of all sizes and functions have recognised the possibilities provided by enacting change and harnessing legal tech to its full potential,” said Mr North.