Democratisation and accessibility of the law key to legal innovation

LexisNexis® and Janders Dean announce the 2018 Legal Innovation Index Winners

Sydney, 4 July 2018: 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 uniquR insight into the role that legal innovation can play for organisations and illustrates how LegalTech can be 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 AR 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.

This year’s judges included:

  • Chantelle Maree, Executive Manager, Content Strategy, LexisNexis
  • Peta Portelli, Founder & Business Relations Lead, Ribit
  • Peter Leonard, Principal, Data Synergies
  • Michele DeStefano, Professor of Law, University of Miami, and Founder & Executive Director, LawWithoutWalls
  • Justin North, Founder & Director, Janders Dean
  • John Flood, Professor of Law and Society, Griffith University
  • Clarissa Rayward, Family Lawyer, Presenter & Author, Happy Lawyer, Happy Life
  • Carin Holmes, Legal Counsel, Nokia

Media Contacts

Max Becker, LexisNexis
T: +61 2 9422 2841
@LexisNexisAus
#LII17

Pamela Philip/Nick Hawkins, PPR
T: +61 2 9818 0929
E: pamela.philip@ppr.com.au
E: nick.hawkins@ppr.com.au


About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis® Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help professional customers make more informed decisions, increase productivity and serve their clients better. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal & Professional harnesses leading-edge technology and world-class content to help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organizations can leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase profitability and grow their business. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 175 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

About Janders Dean

Janders Dean is a leading independent management consultancy company specialising in providing expert advisory services to law firms and corporate in-house legal departments across the globe. Janders Dean's projects include some of the most innovative and award winning engagements undertaken within the legal industry across the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia.