The Computerised Lawyer provides a comprehensive introduction to the technology and application of computers in law. Over the last 5 years it has become increasingly recognised that the skills associated with new technology are so important that proficie ncy in the field is now being viewed as an integral element in the education and skills development of all law students. New curriculums are being developed which incorporate the issues discussed in this book, and professionals will find the text useful and highly relevant. This book fulfils the need for a textbook which, whilst assuming no prior knowledge of computing, manages to cover all the key issues associated with information technology and its relevance to legal issues and practice. Philip Leith and Amanda Hoey have completely rewritten the first edition of this book to bring the reader an up-to-date text that will be important to everyone working with computers in law.

From the bestselling author of The End of Lawyers?, this book predicts fundamental and irreversible changes in the legal world and offers essential practical advice for those who intend to build careers and businesses in law. A definitive guide to the future for aspiring lawyers, and for all who want to modernize today's legal and justice systems.

This book is an introduction to the technology and application of computers in the legal field - from office and court use, to the debate over artificial intelligence. The reader is assumed to have no initial knowledge of computing. The first four chapters deal with the nature of computer hardware, communications, and software. The next three chapters deal with the variety of current computer applications in law: from legal information retrieval to jury administration in the court system. The final three chapters deal with the adventurous attempts to use artificial intelligence in law. As well as dealing with computer applications in law, this book features some aspects of law and the legal process which the computer is currently highlighting - what is the nature of a rule, how will law react to a potential torrent of easily available secondary materials, will computerised courts affect justice? Given the increasing number of courses in computer appreciation for lawyers and law students, and the en- croaching nature of the computer upon legal thinking and the practice of law, there is a growing need for textbooks such as this which provide an introduction to computer technology within the framework of law. Un- like other books in this subject, this book emphasises the technical applications, so complementing textbooks which deal with the law relating to computers. This book will be of interest to lawyers and to undergraduates, postgraduates, and lecturers in law, as well as to computer scientists involved with research into the application of computers in law.

"Tomorrow's Lawyers predicts that we are at the beginning of a period of fundamental transformation in law: a time in which we will see greater change than we have seen in the past two centuries. Where the future of the legal service will be a world of internet-based global businesses, online document production, commoditized service, legal process outsourcing, and web based simulation practice. Legal markets will be liberalized, with new jobs for lawyers and new employers too. This book is a definitive guide to this future - for young and aspiring lawyers, and for all who want to modernize our legal and justice systems. It introduces the new legal landscape and offers practical guidance for those who intend to build careers and businesses in law. ... This new edition has been fully updated to include an introduction to online dispute resolution, Susskind's views on the debates surrounding artificial intelligence and its role in the legal world, a new analysis of new jobs available for lawyers, and a retrospective evaluation of The Future of Law, Susskind's prediction published in 1996 about the future of legal services." -- Publisher's website.

In this book, Georgios N. Yannopoulos appropriately relates the developing field of knowledge based systems in law with the basis in classic philosophy, explicating relations which too often are not properly understood. The decision model developed by the author is important, as it integrates and explains arguments which often have been seen as imcompatible. The use of the theoretical foundation in describing and in giving a critical analysis of the construction of real knowledge bases systems becomes therefore very valuable.’ Jon Bing, Norwegian Research Center for Computers and Law ‘Expert systems in law have not been as easily achieved as was originally envisaged, because too many thought the task to be trivial and ignored the complex issues involved. Yannopoulos’ work is valuable because he attempts to detail these issues and overcome them.’ Philip Leith, Queen’s University of Belfast ‘Yannopoulos’ book addresses some of the most crucial problems in the field of information technology and law. The development of more advanced IT solutions for the legal sector will always be closely related to our ability to model and understand the legal reasoning process. In his analysis Yannopoulos elegantly integrates knowledge from many different areas, and in this respect the book reflects an all too seldom seen broadness.’ Pete Wahlgren, The Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI) ‘There has been an abundance of recent research on developing intelligent support systems. Dr Yannopoulos’ work is especially significant because it examines the necessary legal background for building such systems. It will be an essential reference for the prospective builders of intelligent legal support systems.’ John Zeleznikow, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia