Survey findings reveal increasing use of hybrid hearings, strong interest in AI, and growing sustainability awareness are shaping the future of arbitration
Hong Kong – 20 March 2025 – New research by Opus 2, a leading legal software and services provider, details trends in the use of technology in arbitration hearings across Asia-Pacific (APAC). With regional insights on adoption, challenges, and drivers, the report explores the path forward for digital transformation in APAC arbitration.
Based on a survey of arbitration professionals in Hong Kong, Singapore and China, Opus 2’s report, The state of hearings in APAC: Innovation, challenges, and the path forward, examines key trends in hearings technology, analysing how legal professionals engage with digital solutions and shedding light on barriers to adoption.
Responses indicated hearings technology adoption is on the rise. Key findings include:
- Hybrid hearings are now commonplace
Most respondents have participated in hybrid hearings within the past six months, marking a sustained shift toward flexible hearing formats.
- AI adoption is limited but gaining ground
65% of respondents expressed interest in AI-assisted document analysis, case summarisation, and translation, but 81% stated that they have never used AI in hearings.
- Barriers to technology adoption persist
Cost, lack of training, and infrastructure challenges are the most cited obstacles. Ensuring equitable access to technology remains a concern, particularly in cross-border disputes.
- Sustainability considerations drive adoption
42% of respondents use remote and hybrid hearings to minimise travel and reduce carbon footprints. Paperless hearings and digital case management are also increasingly linked to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
While both Hong Kong and Singapore are moving towards greater digital integration, some regional variations emerged in the findings, including:
- Virtual hearing participation
21% of respondents in Hong Kong had participated in a virtual hearing in the last 30 days, compared to 5% in Singapore. Similarly, 10% of Hong Kong respondents attended a hybrid hearing within the previous month, whereas none of the surveyed Singapore practitioners reported the same.
- Pace and focus of technology adoption
38% of Hong Kong respondents report using electronic bundles in at least half of their hearings, while only 10% of respondents in Singapore report using them regularly. Singapore, however, shows a notable increase in the use of electronic evidence presentation (81%) and real-time transcription (76%).
- Use of AI
In Hong Kong, some practitioners are beginning to use AI for legal research and hearing preparation, but its presence in hearings remains rare. In Singapore, there is strong interest in AI’s potential, but many professionals emphasise the need for further development and reliability before embracing broader adoption.
Download The state of hearings in APAC report to explore all the data and insights: https://www.opus2.com/the-state-of-hearings-in-apac/
About Opus 2
For more than 15 years, Opus 2 has developed award-winning solutions trusted by the most successful law firms. Used in thousands of proceedings around the world, Opus 2 transforms how lawyers and other legal professionals work by eliminating inefficiencies and connecting them with the collaborative software they need to work smarter and more effectively together. The company also delivers the essential technology and expertise needed to conduct resolution proceedings in the most modern, seamless, and secure way possible. To learn more, visit Opus2.com.