While much attention is focusing on legal technologies offering artificial intelligence and Uber-like solutions, there are many other transformative developments that may complement and enhance our legal practices.
One such technology is three-dimensional printing that basically uses plastic resin to produce layers and build a prototype. In a short period of time, we have seen prices drop and the quality for these printers improve. I hadn’t thought of how this might apply to the legal field, but Toronto legal entrepreneur Natalka Falcomer has found such a way. Her company, C3DE, provides visual aids to lawyers, paralegals, and expert witnesses to assist in the courtroom. These aids provide a way to visually explain complex legal situations.
Numerous psychological, medical, behavioural, and legal studies conclude that the facts of a case and the merits of an argument are lost when presented only in a written or auditory format. For example, a University of Iowa study compared auditory to visual recall by studying 100 undergraduate students. The study found that students who not only listened but also held and looked at objects were able to recall the sounds, images, and the objects themselves better over an extended period of time.
I went looking for other types of studies specific to the trial process. Not surprisingly, there are many people doing research in this area. One such study, by Ken Broda-Bahm, involved 1,375 mock jurors and found that visual immersion had greater impact on the outcome as opposed to static or animated graphics.
What both studies touch upon is the idea that the more tactile or immersive the experience, the greater the probability of grabbing the attention of the adjudicator, and that in either case, it would improve the ability to recall what the argument was. The second study showed that repetition and immersion would be more persuasive.
3D printing just provides another evolution in the lawyer tool kit of how to enhance their presentation skills and persuasion in the courtroom. I’m eager to see what other solutions legal professionals will create by repurposing existing technologies for the courtroom.
Monica Goyal is a lawyer and technology entrepreneur. She’s the founder of My Legal Briefcase and Simply Small Claims. You can follow her on twitter at @monicangoyal.
