From Mathematics to Construction Law
Sarah Fox's journey to becoming a lawyer is far from typical, showcasing how diverse backgrounds can lead to successful legal careers. As a teenager, Sarah struggled with the common question of what she wanted to be when she grew up. "I was one of those kids who didn't really know what they wanted to do," Sarah recalls. Her uncertainty led to some amusing career considerations, including a brief thought about becoming an optician "so I could stare into people's eyes."
Recognizing Sarah's potential, her mother took her to career events, suggesting they attend talks by lawyers, doctors, and veterinarians. Sarah - averse to the sight of blood - opted for the lawyer's presentation. However, the focus on stressful exams initially put her off the legal profession.
Sarah chose to pursue a degree that aligned with her academic strengths: pure mathematics. "I knew I didn't want to use math as a career, but I was good at it and I liked it. My brain thought that way," Sarah explains. The flexibility of her university program allowed her to explore various subjects alongside mathematics, including Russian, business studies, economics, and education theory.
The turning point came when Sarah took a course on miscarriages of justice. Inspired by the work of investigative journalist Bob Woffinden, Sarah found herself drawn to the legal field, started as a paralegal, and eventually became an attorney specializing in the contracts used in construction and engineering projects.
Discovering AI for Contract Review
Sarah's relationship with AI has evolved from initial skepticism to cautious optimism. Whilst law firms were embracing AI, that focus was primarily for driving internal efficiencies, making it cheaper to provide the same service, rather than innovating, providing new services or focusing on benefits for their clients.
However, Sarah recognized the potential of AI to improve accessibility and address inequalities in the legal system. She started exploring various legal tech tools, but - with her focus on contracts - she found many lacking in their ability to handle simple or innovative contract formats. Sarah was introduced to Screens.ai by a contact and was impressed with the ability to create a digital contracts playbook, called a ‘screen’, and use that playbook over and over.
Key Standards for Construction Services Agreements
Construction contracts that lack clarity and brevity drive problems for the users. Ambiguous language or overly complex clauses can result in misunderstandings about three critical aspects of any project: scope, payment, and timelines.
Poorly defined responsibilities may cause important tasks to be overlooked or duplicated, impacting project efficiency; or for performance standards to fall short of the standards required. Tricky payment processes lead to friction, cash flow issues and cost overruns. Programmes need flexibility to deal with the expected without passing all the risk to the provider. In the worst-case scenarios, ambiguous contracts can result in damaged business relationships, project failures and costly litigation.
"Millions of businesses in the UK construction sector write their own contracts on a daily basis. They just don't know what to put in them," Sarah points out. For users, the most critical standards include:
- Scope of Work: defining the project's extent and key deliverables.
- Objectives: sharing the primary goal for better collaboration.
- Payment: simple payment process to reduce friction.
- Quality: describing output or input standards for goods, works and services.
- Change Orders: simple procedures for modifying scope, cost or quality.
- Completion: specifies the project duration and any interim milestones.
- Termination Clauses: clarifying how and when future obligations are ended.
Sarah stresses the importance of including essential elements like scope of work, pricing, and payment terms in a way that's easily understood by all parties. Clear, concise agreements are essential for smooth operation, project success and to protect stakeholder interests.
ROI Impact of Using Screens
The use of Screens.ai has transformed Sarah's approach to contract drafting and review. She highlights several key benefits that have significantly improved her workflow and client outcomes:
- Simplicity and Manageability: Sarah appreciates how Screens.ai breaks down contracts into manageable components. This approach makes contracts feel more approachable and less daunting, especially for those not well-versed in legal jargon.
- Accessibility: One of the most significant advantages Sarah notes is the democratization of legal expertise. Screens.ai allows users to access expert-level contract guidance without necessarily engaging a lawyer directly. This accessibility is particularly valuable for small businesses or individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford legal services.
- Time Efficiency: A more streamlined contract review process provided significant time savings in contract creation and review. This efficiency allows her to focus on more complex legal matters that require her direct expertise.
Sarah's experience with Screens.ai demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to create more accessible, understandable, and efficient legal documents. Her journey from skepticism to advocacy for AI in law serves as an inspiring example for legal professionals looking to embrace technology in their practice.
To learn more about Sarah and her construction law contract expertise, visit her website 500words.co.uk connect with her on LinkedIn, and check out her Small Works Contracts: Builder’s Checklist and Consultant Appointment screens in the Screens Community.
