Knowledge
Topics shaping the legal market
Five areas where legal work is changing right now – with context, practical questions and the Hub formats where they’re discussed.
OrientationWhich topic matches your question?
Legal Tech and AI are reshaping legal work in five particularly notable areas. Each topic page explains the field clearly, shows real-world use cases and sets out the legal framework with sources.
At the end of every page, you’ll find where to take the topic further within the Hub: which Roadshow, which Inner Circle or which focus group covers it – and when the Concierge is the faster route.
On every topic page
- An explanation without the jargon
- Four use cases: starting point, technological support, benefits, requirements, limitations
- The legal framework at a glance, with primary sources
- Relevant formats, dates and articles from the Hub
TopicsThe five topics
- 01Legal AIWhat AI delivers in legal work, where review remains essential, and how to move from individual testing to a process.
- 02Contract automationFrom template to approval: which steps can be automated and what standards are required.
- 03Legal OperationsProcesses, budget, metrics and tools – how legal departments organise their work transparently.
- 04AI competenceWhat the AI Act expects from organisations that use AI – and how teams build competence.
- 05Judiciary and public administrationElectronic case files, digital procedures and AI support: where the judiciary and public administration stand.
By RoleWhere to start
| You work in … | Typical question | Getting started |
|---|---|---|
| a law firm | Which AI tools can I use with confidence under professional conduct rules? | Legal AI, then AI competence |
| a legal department | How do we manage enquiries, costs and contracts – and who coordinates AI within the company? | Legal Operations, contract automation |
| Judiciary or public administration | Where can AI support proceedings, and what applies to the electronic file? | Judiciary and public administration, AI competence |
| Training, HR, firm management | What do we need to do under Art. 4 of the AI Act? | AI competence |
| a Legal Tech or AI company | What questions do users ask themselves before making a decision? | All topic pages, “For providers” section in each |
Cross-cuttingWhat applies across all topics
- Responsibility remains with people. AI outputs are reviewed by experts – in law firms under § 43 BRAO, and in public administration under the rules governing administrative procedure.
- Professional secrecy and data protection first. Law firms are bound by § 43e BRAO and § 203 StGB (German Criminal Code), while everyone is bound by the GDPR.
- AI literacy is mandatory. Since February 2025, anyone using AI has had to take measures to ensure staff AI literacy (Art. 4 AI Act).
- Transparency rules apply since August 2026. AI systems that interact with humans must identify themselves as such (Art. 50 AI Act).
- High-risk from December 2027. Additional obligations will then apply to AI used in the judiciary, recruitment and benefits administration.
- Other people’s experience saves detours. What works in one organisation rarely transfers one-to-one to another – exchanging views helps you weigh things up.
German Legal Tech Summit
All topics in a single day.
What begins on roadshows, at dinners and in focus groups comes together at the German Legal Tech Summit – on 3 December 2026 at the Eilenriedehalle, HCC Hannover. Attendance is confirmed with a certificate of participation in accordance with § 15 FAO. All bookable memberships include Summit tickets – one to four, depending on the package.
To the SummitKnowledgeRead on and keep learning
Missing a topic?
Tell us what questions are on your mind – these shape new formats and articles. If you’re looking for a specific solution, the Concierge is the quicker route.