As The Practitioner Playbook celebrates its 100th edition, we’re taking a moment to look back, not just on the milestones we’ve shared with you, but on the extraordinary transformation of legal technology over the past century. From handwritten documents to digital settlements, the pace of change has been relentless, reshaping how practitioners work, collaborate, and deliver for their clients.
From handwritten deeds to the hum of electric typewriters and photocopiers, the legal profession evolved from craftsmanship to mechanisation. These decades built the foundation for efficiency and structure, preparing the profession for the digital revolution to come.
The 1980s introduced personal computers into legal practice. Word processing software replaced typewriters, and practitioners began to store documents on floppy disks and internal servers. Legal research shifted from law libraries to CD-ROMs and online databases like AustLII and LexisNexis.
Practice management software began to emerge in the early 1990s, providing legal firms with tools to streamline timekeeping, billing, and matter management. One of the earliest and most influential systems was LEAP, developed in 1992 by Christian Beck. Originally created to assist Beck’s father, a practising lawyer, LEAP was designed specifically to simplify and improve the efficiency of managing conveyancing matters. Also, in the interest of efficiency, email began to replace the fax machine as a faster way to communicate with clients and colleagues.
Although conveyancing still required physical lodgment and wet signatures, digital tools were beginning to hint at a more connected future.
By the early 2000s, most firms had adopted email, digital calendars, and cloud-based file storage. More PMS’s emerged, and became increasingly sophisticated, integrating trust accounting, client relationship management, and document automation.
During this period, InfoTrack was established as a specialist provider of property and company searches, delivering fast and reliable information to legal and conveyancing professionals. Over time, InfoTrack expanded its offerings beyond searches to include a broader range of legal technology solutions designed to streamline workflows, enhance compliance, and improve risk management.
Also in this period, VOI regulations emerged, requiring firms to adopt digital identity checks. At the same time, consumer expectations were rising. Clients wanted speed, transparency, and convenience which drove firms to rethink how technology could support service delivery.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation across the legal industry exponentially. Overnight, firms adopted remote working, cloud collaboration, and digital signing tools to maintain continuity. These changes have become permanent fixtures.
Legal professionals operate in a tech-enabled environment where integration is key. Digital onboarding, automated workflows, e-settlements, and real-time collaboration are now expected, not exceptional. Risk management and compliance tools are embedded into daily practice, from AML/CTF checks to source of funds verification.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are beginning to influence research, contract review, and task automation. And for conveyancing practitioners, data layers like environmental risk, planning overlays, and land history can now be accessed in moments, rather than hours.
Looking forward, the pace of innovation isn’t slowing. Blockchain-based property transactions, smart contracts, and AI-driven legal analysis are on the horizon. Cybersecurity, digital identity, and data governance will continue to be critical as firms become increasingly reliant on digital systems.
What’s clear is that the legal profession has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability over the last century. While the tools may continue to evolve, the core values of accuracy, diligence, and client care, remain constant.
As we mark the 100th edition of The Practitioner Playbook, we celebrate not just a publishing milestone, but a profession that continues to embrace progress while staying grounded in purpose.
