Leading legal functions are leveraging automation and AI to eliminate inefficiencies, streamline routine tasks, and focus on high-value strategic work. Nearly every legal process, from contract management to compliance reviews, can be optimised and automated using the right tools.
Here are ten practical ways to cut wasted effort and significantly increase productivity:
1. Centralise legal documentation
Few things are more frustrating than hunting for a critical contract buried in an overflowing email or a locked filing cabinet. A centralised digital repository keeps everything accessible, organised, and secure.
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Faster retrieval: find key contracts, policies, and case files instantly.
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Scalable storage: eliminate the need for physical filing cabinets.
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Self-service access: allow business teams to retrieve approved documents without legal intervention.
Example: Caidya uploaded 15,000+ files to Plexus using bulk upload, cutting retrieval times and reducing administrative burden.
2. Speed up approvals with eSignatures
Legal workflows often stall because of something as simple as waiting for a signature. Why rely on wet signatures when digital options cut turnaround times and improve tracking?
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Reduce delays: approvals can happen in minutes, not days.
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Eliminate paper-based dependencies: sign from anywhere, anytime using e‑signature solutions.
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Ensure compliance: track approvals with a full audit trail.
No more chasing people down for signatures – let technology do the legwork.
Example: Plexus Approve and eSign is customisable to meet industry-specific compliance needs, including Part 11 regulations.
3. Streamline contract lifecycle management
Contracts are the backbone of any business, yet in-house legal teams often get bogged down in manual processes, version control issues, and approval bottlenecks. A modern contract lifecycle management system simplifies the process.
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Automate approvals to reduce back-and-forth emails.
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Ensure compliance by using pre-approved contract templates.
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Increase visibility and track contract status in real-time.
4. Use AI to optimise legal reviews
Repetitive contract reviews drain valuable time and energy. AI-powered legal tools can analyse contracts in seconds, flagging risks and missing terms, so your team can focus on what matters.
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Identify risky clauses by using AI to highlight compliance red flags.
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Reduce manual workload and free up lawyers for strategic work.
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Improve accuracy and minimise human error in repetitive tasks.
Example: Plexus Contract Review reduces manual review time by up to 80%, allowing in-house legal teams to work faster and more efficiently,
AI isn’t replacing lawyers; it’s helping them do more in less time.
5. Establish a clear delegation of authority framework
In-house legal teams shouldn’t be stuck approving every single change in a contract lifecycle. A well-defined delegation of authority (DoA) framework ensures the right people are making decisions at the right level.
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Predefined approval levels align contracts with the right stakeholders.
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Automated permissions can assign user roles to prevent unnecessary escalations.
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Reduce bottlenecks and let low-risk approvals proceed without unnecessary legal intervention.
Your General Counsel shouldn’t be signing off on every minor agreement. Let technology handle the hierarchy.
Example: Plexus can be configured to an organisation’s DoA workflows, ensuring approvals happen smoothly without unnecessary delays.
