As you may have seen, recently the U.S. Justice Department approved a request to use predictive coding eDiscovery software, to sort through documents in the merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and Grupo Modelo. Typically, cases as large as these require legal counsel to sift through millions of electronic documents in search of relevant information—an endeavor that is not only time consuming, but extremely expensive.
But innovative eDiscovery software has now reached a level of sophistication whereby computers can be trained to hunt for concepts the same way human lawyers do.
In the Anheuser-Busch case, the opposing sides discovered hundreds of thousands of documents using eDiscovery software—and spent 50% less than they would have using traditional methods. (And when 50% equates to a few million dollars—it’s easily enough to turn the heads of government agencies, their IT departments, and their legal counsel.)
Having given predictive coding software it’s first major vote of confidence, the U.S. Justice Department is likely to create a trickle-down effect throughout the public sector—where predictive coding and eDiscovery technology, in general, is being embraced and utilized at a steadily increasing pace.
Symantec is excited to see this technology advance in the public sector, and we look forward to staying at the forefront of eDiscovery innovation—offering customers cost-effective and efficient ways to approach large cases.
If you’re interested in learning more about predictive coding, eDiscovery software in whole, and how they can be used, Symantec is hosting an upcoming conference on the topic, EDGE summit. Featuring industry leaders and experts, the conference will focus on the challenges and opportunities this technology brings to the legal world.
