Automated Lawyering Gains Momentum As Yet Another Top U.K. Firm Signs Artificial Intelligence Deal

Artificial intelligence is becoming big news in Big Law. The move towards increased automation of legal services continues to gather momentum, with another top law firm turning to (AI) in an attempt to lower costs and improve efficiency. Travers Smith, a London-based firm known for its strength in corporate and private equity, has begun trialing due diligence technology developed by U.K. software company RAVN Systems. The news follows last week's announcement that magic circle firm Slaughter and May had signed a deal with Luminance, a new technology company that launched with the backing of investment fund Invoke Capital. Slaughters had been working with Luminance for several months to help it develop its AI software, which is able to read hundreds of pages of legal documentation every minute and is designed to speed up the due diligence process.