The Benefits of No-Code Software for In-House Legal

As budgets tighten and companies aim to secure a larger market share quickly, every business function, including in-house legal departments, is actively seeking ways to optimize processes. A key tool in this optimization race is through leveraging no-code software platforms. These no-code platforms, designed for those without a coding background, promise a straightforward and faster approach to digital transformation, especially for in-house legal teams.

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What’s the Difference Between No-Code and Low-Code?

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While both no-code and low-code software platforms aim to simplify and accelerate the application development process, no-code is more about complete code elimination for the end-user, whereas low-code offers a blend of walk-up usable development and traditional coding. The difference between low-code and no-code software lies primarily in the degree of customization and the target audience.

No-code software is designed primarily for users without any coding experience or technical background, so it’s more user-friendly. Most no-code platforms allow users to build applications using visual interfaces or simple, plain English building blocks. It’s easy to create straightforward applications without needing to delve into the intricacies of coding.

Low-code software may also offer easy-to-use, drag-and-drop features. Low-code platforms provide the option to customize using actual code when needed. This offers more adaptability but requires some technical know-how. It bridges the gap between professional developers and non-technical users, allowing both to collaborate effectively. Developers can set up the core functionalities, and business users can make minor changes.

For in-house legal professionals, diving into the world of software development is like crafting your own legal document templates. No-code platforms would be the equivalent of having a set of standard contract templates where you just fill in the blanks and specifics for each case. You don’t need to understand the nuances of contract law or drafting from scratch; you can use what’s already provided and tailor it minimally.  

On the flip side, low-code platforms are like having a template but with annotations and guidelines, allowing you to modify clauses more deeply. It’s for those instances when the standard template forms aren’t enough, and some custom drafting is required.

Why Should In-House Legal Teams Care About No-Code Software?

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An in-house legal team often confronts repetitive (and sometimes high-volume) tasks, such as generating NDAs or manually routing legal requests to the right contacts for review and approval. With no-code platforms, these processes can be digitized and automated. They replicate the exact decisions a legal department would make, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and efficiency.

Top Benefits of No-Code Software for In-House Legal Teams

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No-code platforms bring a transformative potential for in-house legal teams. These platforms aren’t just about avoiding coding; they represent a shift towards greater efficiency, collaboration, and cost-effectiveness. As the digital world evolves, modern legal teams equipped with no-code platforms will be better positioned to navigate the challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Benefits of no-code software can include:‍

• Enhanced Workload Management: With the mounting regulatory pressures and rising volumes of legal requests, legal teams are juggling more tasks than ever. No-code platforms allow the automation of routine tasks, enabling professionals to focus on substantive legal work and ensuring consistent quality as demands grow. By translating their expertise into scalable self-service platforms, legal teams can meet growing organizational demands more efficiently without sacrificing quality.
• Rapid Deployment: Traditional software development and implementation can be cumbersome and costly. With no-code platforms like Streamline AI, legal teams can drastically reduce their time-to-market, enabling fast ROI and better service to their business counterparts. This speed often translates to timely compliance, effective risk management, or swift contract processing. 
• User-Friendly Design: No longer bound by the complexities of traditional software, no-code platforms democratize the building process. Legal professionals, regardless of their technical programming proficiency, can easily design and build tailored solutions for their organization’s needs. For example, with Streamline AI, in-house lawyers can design and launch a legal intake workflow with conditional routing in minutes. For tasks that involve high-volume requests, what once took several hours weekly can now be reduced to just a few minutes, with the entire build and go-live process completed in under thirty minutes.
• Adaptable Infrastructure: No-code platforms offer unmatched flexibility. Legal teams can seamlessly integrate third-party apps, adjust data inputs, or make modifications as business needs change without waiting for a third-party consultant to respond. This adaptability ensures smooth and efficient transitions with minimal disruption without lag.‍
• Cost and Resource Efficiency: Some software tools may require an additional dedicated resource or an expensive external consultant to build or maintain. Self-service, no-code tools mean lesser dependency on these external systems or consultants, leading to significant cost savings. Furthermore, the speed and efficiency they introduce result in resource savings, which is invaluable for any in-house legal team.

Learn how to build the business case for no-code or low-code software with our Making the Business Case guide.