No-code and low-code process automation can significantly benefit legal teams by empowering them to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and reduce reliance on IT departments for automation solutions.
These platforms allow users with limited coding skills to design and deploy automated processes, making it easier for legal professionals to optimise their operations.
What is the difference between no-code and low-code automation?
No-code platforms allow users to build workflows with no traditional programming or coding skills. They rely heavily on visual interfaces and pre-built templates. They are limited to the actions that are pre-coded into the system.
Low-code platforms provide a visual interface with some pre-built components and functionality. They allow for a higher level of sophistication as the user can utilise minimal coding and even a built-in code compiler to create workflows.
Choosing a low-code platform over a no-code platform offers increased flexibility and customisation for users with some coding skills. With low-code, individuals can leverage minimal coding or a built-in code compiler, allowing for more sophisticated and tailored workflows. This added versatility suits organisations with specific requirements that might surpass the capabilities of a no-code solution. While both platforms empower users to automate processes without extensive coding expertise, a low-code platform caters to a broader range of complexities, making it preferable for organisations seeking a balance between simplicity and advanced customisation in their automation endeavours.
Here’s how no-code and low-code automation can help legal teams, along with some trends in this space:
Benefits for legal teams
1. Workflow optimisation
- Streamlining processes: No-code and low-code platforms enable legal teams to automate routine tasks and processes, reducing manual effort and potential errors
- Document management: Automation tools can assist in document creation, management, and processing, improving document workflow efficiency
2. Time and cost savings
- Reduced dependence on IT: Legal professionals can design and implement automation workflows without coding experience, leading to quicker implementation and cost savings as internal IT resources are not required
- Faster resolution of legal issues: Automation can accelerate the resolution of legal matters by automating repetitive tasks, allowing legal teams to focus on more strategic and complex issues
3. Improved collaboration
- Cross-functional collaboration: No-code and low-code platforms facilitate collaboration between legal and other departments by providing a common platform for process automation such as intake, self-service, and matter updates
4. Compliance and risk management
- Ensuring consistency: Automation helps ensure that legal processes are consistently executed, reducing the risk of non-compliance and matters ‘falling through the cracks
- Audit trails: Many platforms offer audit trail features, providing transparency into the automated processes and supporting compliance efforts
5. Data security and privacy
- Secure automation: No-code and low-code platforms often come with built-in security features, ensuring that automated processes adhere to data security and privacy standards
6. Adaptability to change
- Flexibility: Legal teams can rapidly adapt automated processes to changing regulations, policies, or business requirements without requiring specialist IT assistance.
As the legal industry continues to embrace digital transformation, no-code and low-code process automation present valuable opportunities for legal teams to enhance their efficiency, collaboration, and adaptability to changing legal landscapes. Legal professionals should stay updated on emerging trends and explore how these technologies can be tailored to their specific needs.
