header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us

Digital law crashes out…for now

© Copyright LexisNexis 2025. All Rights Reserved.
27 April 2017 / Steve Hynes
Issue: 7743 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Technology
printer mail-detail
nlj_7743_hynes

Will a poor return on investment derail robot lawyers? Steve Hynes reports

Heralded as the future of legal services, Rechtwijzer 2.0, the digital family law service, looks like it is coming to an ignominious end. The Dutch organisation behind the product, the Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law (HiiL), is pulling the plug on it as it is not making enough cash.

Game changer

Three years ago Roger Smith, the NLJ columnist and expert on innovation in legal aid policy, described Rechtwijzer as a ‘game changer’ as it was setting ‘a new standard for what can be delivered’ through new technology. This first version he was referring to, hosted by the Dutch Legal Aid Board, provided information and interactive pathways through dealing with consumer problems and relationship breakdowns. Information only was given on other civil legal problems.

The Rechtwijzer 2.0 product was launched in 2015. This was intended to provide a web-based interactive negotiated settlement service for separating couples. According to Smith there was ‘fairly good usage’ of the service after its

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Disputes firm expands fraud and investigations practice with partner hire

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Firm strengthens corporate tax and incentives team with partner hire

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Partner and senior associate join pensions team

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: When high rates fall flat
In this week's NLJ, Sophie Houghton of LexisPSL distils the key lesson from recent costs cases: if you want to exceed guideline hourly rates (GHR), you must prove why
NLJ this week: Building digital bridges to justice
With chronic underfunding and rising demand leaving thousands without legal help, technology could transform access to justice—if handled wisely, writes Professor Sue Prince of the University of Exeter in this week's NLJ
NLJ this week: Form N510—not just a box to tick
NLJ columnist Stephen Gold dives into the quirks of civil practice, from the Court of Appeal’s fierce defence of form N510 to fresh reminders about compliance and interest claims, in this week's Civil Way
NLJ this week: Delegation or dereliction?
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) has restated a fundamental truth, writes John Gould, chair of Russell-Cooke, in this week's NLJ: only authorised persons can conduct litigation. The decision sparked alarm, but Gould stresses it merely confirms the Legal Services Act 2007
NLJ this week: FCA faces its toughest test yet
The government’s decision to make the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks a watershed in the UK’s fight against money laundering, says Rebecca Hughes of Corker Binning in this week's NLJ. The FCA will now oversee 60,000 firms across legal and accountancy sectors—a massive expansion of remit that raises questions over resources and readiness 
Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll