Trying to navigate the labyrinth of legal language is no small feat. For clients, the dense terminology often found in legal documents can be daunting, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunication. 

Simplifying this complex jargon can enhance the clarity and quality of interactions between clients and legal professionals. In this article we’ll look at strategies to demystify legal terms, making legal advice accessible and comprehensible.

Understanding legal language

Legal language, often referred to as “legalese,” is characterized by its formal and technical vocabulary. This specialized language is based on precision and compliance, but it can be alienating and confusing for clients not versed in legal terminology. 

Many clients struggle to understand their rights, obligations, and the implications of legal texts. Accessibility in legal services goes beyond just client comfort — it ensures justice and fairness.

The digital age has revolutionized how clients interact with legal services: technology, particularly advancements in digital communication and information management, has the potential to bridge the gap between legal professionals and their clients. 

Lawyers now have the means to enhance the accessibility of their services, making legal advice more understandable and more engaging. There are technological innovations and practical techniques that can help decode legal jargon, offering clarity and control over legal affairs.

Tech solutions for decoding legal language

The collision of technology with law has produced a variety of solutions aimed at making legal language more approachable for clients. These tools range from automated analysis to interactive applications, but they’re all designed to assist — both clients and lawyers — in navigating complex legal texts.

Automated document analysis tools

Automated document analysis tools are based on advanced algorithms, and they parse and simplify the contents of legal documents. They’re designed to identify key legal terms, explain clauses, and highlight important sections that need client attention. 

Leading software in this category speeds up document review processes while enhancing accuracy, reducing the potential for human error. For instance, platforms like Lex Machina and Kira Systems provide insights that previously required hours of manual review — optimizing the workflow in legal practices.

Natural language processing applications

Natural Language Processing, or NLP, has a huge role in translating legalese into plain language, language that is easily understandable by non-specialists. Applying NLP helps with converting text-based legal information into more straightforward, conversational language — helping clients grasp complex concepts quickly. 

Examples include tools like ROSS Intelligence, which uses NLP to answer legal questions directly posed by users in plain English, which makes legal advice a lot more accessible.

AI-powered legal advisors

AI-powered legal advisors are becoming increasingly popular because they can offer real-time explanations of legal concepts and advice through user-friendly interfaces. 

These systems are programmed to adapt responses based on the context of the client’s queries, and this is a whole new level of personalization in automated legal guidance. AI solutions improve clients’ understanding of their legal situations, but they also offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional consultations.

Legal chatbots and virtual assistants

Chatbots and virtual assistants have been around for long enough to require no introduction. These tools are commonly embedded into legal websites, where they guide users through their legal questions by providing simplified, immediate interpretations of legal terms and procedures. 

For example, the DoNotPay chatbot assists users in contesting parking tickets by walking them through the legal appeal process in an interactive, user-friendly manner. Legal ticketing systems, on the other hand, allow clients to submit their legal questions and issues, which are then categorized and routed to the appropriate legal expert. This speeds up the response time, and clients receive tailored advice — further simplifying their legal journey.

Interactive legal apps

Interactive legal applications provide dynamic assistance as users navigate legal documents. These apps often feature pop-up explanations, simplified summaries, and even step-by-step guidance through complex legal procedures. 

Machine learning for pattern recognition

Machine learning techniques can be very useful to identify patterns and commonalities in large volumes of legal texts. This capability enables users to predict and explain possible legal outcomes, which can be crucial for preemptive legal advice. 

Machine learning algorithms can also track changes in legal standards and practices, ensuring that clients receive the most current and relevant legal information.

Techniques for decoding legal language

While technology provides powerful tools to simplify legal language, practical techniques and training are equally important in ensuring clear communication between lawyers and clients.  However, these methods focus on enhancing the ability of legal professionals to convey complex information in a manner that clients can easily understand.

One of the most effective ways to bridge the communication gap between lawyers and clients is through training in the use of plain language. Legal professionals often default to jargon and complex terminology, which can be a significant barrier for clients. Client-centered communication is one simple-but-very-effective way to improve the interaction between lawyers and their clients. 

Here are some techniques to simplify legal communication:

• Simplify legal terms — learn to substitute complicated legal terms with simpler, more commonly understood words. For instance, using “end” instead of “terminate” or “start” instead of “commence.”
• Clarify sentence structure — focus on the importance of clear and concise sentence structure: long, convoluted sentences should be broken down into shorter, straightforward ones, with increased readability.
• Use active voice — passive voice often complicates sentences and makes them harder to follow. The use of active voice makes statements direct and easier to understand.
• Avoid unnecessary words — eliminate redundant words and phrases that do not add value to the communication. This helps in creating precise and clear documents.
• Empathy and listening skills — practice active listening and show empathy towards clients. Understanding the client’s perspective and concerns is crucial for effective communication.
• Interactive dialogue — try to engage clients in an interactive dialogue rather than a one-sided monologue. This includes asking open-ended questions and encouraging clients to express their understanding and concerns.
• Feedback mechanisms — seek and incorporate client feedback, continuously. This helps in identifying areas where communication can be improved and ensures that the client fully understands the legal advice provided.

Implementing these techniques will help legal professionals improve their communication with clients. Aside from enhancing client understanding, these strategies build trust and foster a more client-friendly approach in legal practices, which ensures that communication is clear, effective and empathetic.

Future prospects on the legal horizon

The future of the legal landscape is continually evolving, and the integration of technology and client-centric communication is expected to play a crucial role in decoding legal language.

The innovations in legal technology are aimed at further simplifying the interpretation and application of legal language. And while technology will undoubtedly enhance the tools available, the role of legal professionals in simplifying legal language remains indispensable. 

Decoding legal language democratizes access to legal information. The combined efforts of technology and targeted communication strategies have made significant strides in this area, and we’re calling legal professionals to embrace these advancements and incorporate them into their practices. 

By doing so, they contribute to a more just and accessible legal system, a system in which legal advice is not just heard, but understood.

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About the author

Ashley Renken is the dynamic force at Checkbox.ai, where her B2B SaaS expertise and public relations flair turn legal automation solutions into engaging, industry-leading narratives.