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Top 10 reports in 2024
It’s been another massive year for Australia’s legal profession, with a number of key reports released around technology, AI, challenges and priorities. Here, we count down the most-read stories based on reports this year.
Lawyers Weekly
10. Investment in tech on the rise in mid-sized firms, report says
9. ‘Soft law’ could drive ethical change in legal practice, IBA report suggests
Members of the legal community have highlighted the discussion surrounding the capacity of soft laws to influence and shape ethical practices within the legal profession.
8. Australia’s IP filings are increasing, says new report
Australia achieved nearly record-breaking levels of intellectual property filings last year, according to IP Australia’s latest report, and legal experts in this domain anticipate this trend will continue.
7. Lawyers with AI skills get paid more, report says
New research from PwC has shown a surge in AI jobs and an associated wage premium of almost 50 per cent for US lawyers – however, Australia must continue investing to “stay in the race”.
6. Judicial independence ‘not a luxury or privilege to dispense with’, report finds
When it comes to the extent of judicial independence in Australia, a new report has found that “there is much to be proud of, but also much to do” – offering a stark reminder that the independence of our nation’s judges “is not ‘set and forget’”.
5. Report: AI to save lawyers ‘up to 200 hours in the next year’
The vast majority of lawyers believe AI will have a transformative impact on their work, as well as drive significant or moderate improvements over the next five years, according to new research from Thomson Reuters.
4. 87% of lawyers have experienced incivility, report finds
A recent survey has unveiled the troubling extent of incivility within the legal profession, revealing alarming high levels of disrespect and psychological distress among Australian lawyers.
3. Report: Law firms ‘lagging’ in providing benefits
New data from the College of Law has delved into legal careers across the country, showing that while those in law firms may receive bonuses, some firms are lacking in other employee benefits.
2. Lawyers not advising clients on non-disclosure agreements, report finds
The culture of silence is so entrenched that half of respondent lawyers have never advised clients they have the option not to sign a non-disclosure agreement, “alarming” new research has revealed.
1. Corporates pay highest average legal salaries, report says
Legal professionals have an average salary of $102,100 – but new research from the College of Law has shown that law firms pay, on average, less than government and big corporates, with 35 per cent of lawyers in firms also not receiving a salary increase over the last two years.
