#Japan #AI Technology #Tokyo #Legal Research #Legalscape

Insights from Legalscape's Legal Research Survey

Recently, Legalscape, a prominent legal tech company headquartered in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, released the results of its survey focused on legal research practices among lawyers and social insurance labor consultants. The study gathered a total of 200 valid responses from professionals aged between their 20s and 60s across the country. This extensive survey aimed to shed light on various factors, including the frequency of conducting legal research, awareness and usage of research tools, experiences and concerns regarding generative AI, and the tasks that legal professionals expect AI to handle in the future.

As the importance of information gathering in legal and labor fields continues to rise, the role of legal research has become deeply integrated into the daily workflow of these professionals. However, the survey findings revealed a notable disparity in the usage of legal research tools, alongside a gap in awareness and utilization, as well as mixed feelings towards the application of generative AI.

Background of the Survey

In an era where risk management related to legal and compliance matters is becoming increasingly critical, the ability to conduct legal research swiftly and accurately is pivotal to enhance productivity in practice. The emergence of generative AI has further transformed the methodologies and expectations surrounding legal research.

Consequently, the survey aimed to understand the methods and tools employed by lawyers and labor consultants who undertake legal research regularly. This initiative set out to evaluate current practices, tool usage, and the integration of AI technologies in their work.

High Awareness, Low Utilization of Research Tools

While an impressive 91% of respondents recognized legal research tools, only about 41% reported actually using them. This notable gap between awareness and utilization presents a potential barrier to productivity gains within the legal profession. The exploration of why many professionals fail to leverage recognized tools could offer insight into training needs or barriers to adoption.

Generative AI: Broad Adoption Amid Concerns

The survey indicated a marked increase in the use of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, with adoption rates reaching approximately 95%. This indicates a significant expansion in the application of such tools in legal settings. Nonetheless, many respondents expressed concerns regarding the reliability of AI-generated responses, fearing inaccuracies and incomplete information. Additionally, worries about security, data storage, and processing methods were prevalent, highlighting a pressing need for assurance in the quality and safety of these technologies.

The results suggest that even as interest in “AI-enhanced legal research” grows within the legal community, concerns over hallucinations and security must be addressed to spur further adoption.

Legalscape: Leading the Way with Innovative Legal Research Tools

Legalscape offers a robust legal research platform that incorporates reliable legal information from texts, case laws, and regulations, powered by an AI designed to match the performance standards of high-ranking judicial examination levels. This platform supports legal professionals in obtaining accurate and reproducible research experiences while navigating complex legal matters.

Launched in June 2021, Legalscape's platform summarizes essential legal information quickly, facilitating immediate access to required legal resources. In September 2023, the company pioneered the introduction of AI research capabilities in Japan, combining generative AI with proprietary natural language processing technologies. Users benefit from a cutting-edge experience along with access to one of the industry's largest collections, featuring over 4,000 books and 40,000 resources, which have been instrumental to major law firms, corporate legal departments, and local practitioners nationwide.

About Legalscape

Founded in September 2017, Legalscape is dedicated to transforming legal practice through technology. Their mission is to create a comprehensive view of all legal information using a vast database and unique AI capabilities to enhance the efficiency and sophistication of legal tasks. Their collaborations with leading firms, such as Mori Hamada & Matsumoto and patented advancements in document structuring further underscore their commitment to shaping the future of legal services.

Legalscape remains actively involved in public initiatives aiming to promote the digitization and organization of legal information through strategic partnerships, demonstrating its influence in advancing the field of law.

Moreover, by 2025, Legalscape aims to achieve exemplary reliability in AI performance at a level matching near-perfect scores on all subjects for the judicial examination, affirming its status as a pioneer in legal tech. With continuous integration of modern technological capabilities into their offerings, Legalscape is shaping a new standard for legal practices in the industry.