Emotional Meaning-Making in Legal Consultants Managing Digital Contract Disputes: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study
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Abstract
The rapid evolution of the digital economy has reshaped legal practice, especially in resolving disputes involving electronic contracts. Legal consultants now face both professional and emotional challenges due to unclear legal boundaries in digital environments. Despite this, few studies have examined how consultants personally experience and manage such uncertainties. This study aims to explore the emotional experiences of legal consultants involved in digital contract disputes. Adopting an interpretative phenomenological approach, it investigates how these professionals understand and respond to legal ambiguity. Twelve consultants were interviewed using semi-structured formats, and the data were analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to uncover central emotional themes. The results indicate that consultants commonly encounter professional strain, moral dilemmas, and emotional stress. They respond by engaging in ethical reasoning, emotional adjustment, and flexible problem-solving. These findings underscore the significant role of emotional insight in legal interpretation and decision-making. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the personal dimensions of legal consultancy in digital contexts. It also emphasizes the value of incorporating emotional competence into legal education and institutional frameworks.
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Sidorova, E. (2020). Smart contracts in the new era of contract law. Digital Law Journal, 1(1), 39–52. https://www.digitallawjournal.org/jour/article/view/30/27
Sidorova, E. (2020). Smart contracts in the new era of contract law. Digital Law Journal, 1(1), 39–52. https://www.digitallawjournal.org/jour/article/view/30/27