Information Technology (IT) has found its way into legal practice and as part of that into the judiciary. The present publication provides an impression of the developments in three continents, or, better, a country in each of these continents: Australia (Australia), Singapore (Asia), and Venezuela (South America). In addition, reports by Norway, the Netherlands and Italy are provided. These countries can be qualified as the best equipped and organized in IT for the judiciary in Europe. Amongst the issues addressed are electronic filing systems, decision support systems, the employment of knowledge management, and on-line services, including publication of verdicts. The central issue in the development of IT support for the judiciary worldwide appears the use of case management systems. IT is used as a means to bring about changes in most countries. In a very strong way this happened in Singapore, where IT was used to transform an old-fashioned organization, where it was hard or even impossible to get access to case information, into a modern, well-equipped institution. This book is meant to be a comprehensive source on the use of IT in legal organizations, in particular the judiciary, practitioners (attorneys, company lawyers, consultants), governments, but also for academics, both students and staff. This is Volume 4 in the Information Technology and Law (IT&Law) Series

The area of Information Technology and Lawyers is a fascinating one. Both from a practical and an academic perspective the opportunities of applying Information Technology to law are tremendous. At the same time, however, lawyers are amongst the most conservative professionals, and traditional late adapters of technology. Nowadays the gap between Information Technology and Lawyers is closing more and more, in particular due to the Internet and the richness of legal sources that can be found online. This book provides material to further bridge the gap by showing people with a legal background what is possible with Information Technology now and in the near future, as well as by showing people with an IT background what opportunities exist in the domain of law.

Any lawyer should read this book about the current practice of IT in the legal domain, and what is to be expected in the near future.

The book is meant for both practitioners and academics, and can serve in any (post)graduate courses on computer science, law, business, etc.

Alternative dispute resolution has now supplanted litigation as the principal method of dispute resolution. This overview of dispute resolution addresses practical developments in areas such as family law, plea bargaining, industrial relations and torts. The authors elaborate on the necessary legal safeguards that should be taken into account when developing technology-enhanced dispute resolution and explore a wide range of potential applications for new information technologies in dispute resolution.

The area of Information Technology and Lawyers is a fascinating one. Both from a practical and an academic perspective the opportunities of applying Information Technology to law are tremendous. At the same time, however, lawyers are amongst the most conservative professionals, and traditional late adapters of technology. Nowadays the gap between Information Technology and Lawyers is closing more and more, in particular due to the Internet and the richness of legal sources that can be found online. This book provides material to further bridge the gap by showing people with a legal background what is possible with Information Technology now and in the near future, as well as by showing people with an IT background what opportunities exist in the domain of law.

Any lawyer should read this book about the current practice of IT in the legal domain, and what is to be expected in the near future.

The book is meant for both practitioners and academics, and can serve in any (post)graduate courses on computer science, law, business, etc.