Modernising Dispute Resolution: How AI and Technology are Transforming Legal Practice
2 April 2025
The Technological Revolution in Dispute Resolution
The legal landscape is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. Technology has long influenced dispute resolution, from the advent of eDiscovery to today's AI-powered platforms, but what we're witnessing now is fundamentally different. The pace and breadth of technological change—coupled with increasing judicial acceptance—is creating a new paradigm for legal professionals.
In our recently published report, "Modernising Dispute Resolution: Emerging Trends, Technologies, and Transformation," vLex partnered with LegalTechTalk to explore how these technological advancements are reshaping litigation and arbitration practices worldwide. As Dan Hoadley, Head of R&D at vLex, notes in the foreword:
"We're witnessing the emergence of tools that don't just enhance efficiency, but stand to fundamentally alter how cases are prepared, presented, and decided."
Key Trends Reshaping Dispute Resolution
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
The growing presence of AI in legal practice has raised important questions about how much technology should be relied upon. The report highlights advice from industry experts that emphasizes balance:
"My advice would be to use AI to the maximum that you can—but as a tool. There is still the personal, social interaction side, the persuasion side that you can't replace with AI—so don't become too complacent or lazy with it." - David Dhanoo, Group Chief Legal Officer at NiQuan Energy.
This perspective reinforces the idea that while AI can process vast amounts of legal information at unprecedented speed, the ability to build rapport, negotiate effectively, and persuade a judge or jury remains firmly within the domain of human lawyers.
Blurring Lines Between Law and Technology
As legal work becomes increasingly intertwined with technology, the skill set required for litigation is evolving. The report explores how the distinction between lawyers and technologists may become less clear-cut in the future:
"I can see a world in which lawyers become technologists, technologists become lawyers, and they're either one and the same thing or they work very closely together."- James Levy, Partner at Ashurst
This convergence points to a future where legal professionals will need to develop both technical fluency and maintain their traditional advocacy skills—a combination that defines the next generation of successful dispute lawyers.
Technology's Role in ADR
Beyond traditional litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is also being transformed by technology. The report examines how AI-driven case assessments and online mediation platforms are making dispute resolution faster, cheaper, and potentially more accurate:
"We have the potential with technology to bring about profound changes in ADR. The successful party in litigation can be punished (by way of a deprivation of cost) if it hasn't sought to explore ADR. Now, with technology, there is going to be even more focus on ADR, because technology can make it even more effective." - Minesh Tanna, Partner at Simmons & Simmons
Preparing for the Future of Dispute Resolution
The report's findings make it clear that adaptation is essential for today's practitioners. The ability to fuse legal expertise with technical fluency will define the next generation of successful disputes lawyers.
Key takeaways from our roundtable discussions with leading practitioners include:
- Client expectations are evolving - Clients increasingly demand the use of AI and technology tools in legal work, impacting cost estimates and expectations.
- The technology divide is growing - There's an emerging gap between "haves" and "have-nots" in terms of access to and capabilities with legal technology.
- Skills for the future are changing - The next generation of lawyers will need to balance technical skills in using AI with traditional "soft skills" of persuasion and creative problem-solving.
- Younger lawyers may gain advantages - Junior lawyers who quickly adapt to new technology may have a competitive edge over more experienced colleagues who need to relearn established practices.
As Dan Hoadley emphasizes in the report's foreword:
"Understanding and leveraging these tools is no longer just a competitive advantage—it's becoming a professional necessity."
Vincent AI: Engineered for Modern Dispute Resolution
At vLex, we're at the forefront of this technological transformation with Vincent AI—our platform engineered specifically for legal professionals. Vincent AI combines vLex's unparalleled global legal database with cutting-edge AI to help firms navigate this evolving landscape.
Our platform offers specialized workflows for dispute resolution that allow legal teams to:
- Analyze litigation data to uncover patterns and predict outcomes
- Transform court recordings into actionable intelligence
- Create comprehensive litigator profiles based on court records
- Generate research with proper citations from verified sources
- Streamline document review and analysis
As firms adapt to technological change, tools like Vincent AI provide the bridge between traditional legal expertise and the technical fluency required for success in modern dispute resolution.
Embracing the Future of Dispute Resolution
Thank you to LegalTechTalk for partnering with us on developing “Modernising Dispute Resolution: Emerging Trends, Technologies, and Transformation." Working together with industry partners allows us to provide more comprehensive insights into how technology is reshaping dispute resolution, further benefiting the legal community as firms navigate the changing technological landscape.
The findings in this report underscore what we have long believed: the future of legal practice lies at the intersection of human expertise and technological innovation. As the legal industry continues to evolve, those who embrace this dual approach will be best positioned to thrive. Download the report today to gain valuable insights that can help your firm navigate the future of legal practice.
Want to see how Vincent AI can transform your dispute resolution practice? Book a demo today.
Authored By
Jeff Cox