Partner Article

Barristers driven by legal sector digitisation – says Advanced Legal MD

Barristers across the UK are transforming the way they work to adapt to the continued digitisation of the legal system and adhere to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). That’s according to Doug Hargrove at British software and services company Advanced, who also says that mobile and cloud technology innovations are driving these changes.

Although steeped in traditional practice methodology, the legal sector continues to rise to the challenge of delivering a modern justice system and digital courtroom, spurred on by the Ministry of Justice’s £1bn injection into modernisation.

And barristers are increasingly seeking ways in which they can benefit from this digital drive. Around one in 16 barristers (1,000) have changed the way they work by using mobile and cloud collaboration tools, affording them access to all of the relevant case management files they need, on their device, without relying on papers or even entering the chambers.

Over 1,000 barristers are already using Advanced’s MLC V fully integrated mobile toolkit to manage all aspects of their work. With built-in cloud collaboration capabilities and an integrated mobile interface, barristers can save time, reduce reliance on physical documents and work remotely, 24/7.

Doug Hargrove, Managing Director – Legal – Advanced, commented: “The way the legal system works is transforming with end-to-end digitalisation becoming a prerequisite on the journey to modernisation. While clerks have had technology innovations at their fingertips for some time, barristers have been restricted to full case management packages that are not optimised to meet the needs of a barrister on the go. They no longer want to be tied to chambers, they want a tailored, secure system that will support their mobility as well as help them adhere to GDPR compliance.”

According to Advanced, implementing a collaborative case management and mobile toolkit will not only empower barristers to maximise their time much more effectively and eradicate a reliance on paper, it will also grant much more control over the data they’re using thanks to the audit trail within such integrated solutions, supporting the drive towards GDPR compliance.

Collaboration is key; a mobile toolkit that integrates directly with everything a barrister needs to manage their practice for the duration of a case means that from start – the case building – to finish – court presentation – the barrister can work remotely.

“The introduction of ‘less-paper’ working gives our barristers, who are traditionally mobile workers, the ability to service clients in a secure and flexible environment, while enhancing the speed and reliability of that service,” says Chris Ronan, Chief Executive, St Johns Buildings.

“MLC V has changed the way our barristers are able to work; we are about to commence a seven-week finding of fact, involving eight of our members and a court bundle of 35,000 pages and we are working on it without an ounce of paper,” comments Paul Fletcher, Chambers Director, Albion Chambers.

Doug concludes: “The needs of a clerk are very different to the needs of a barrister. Now that technology advancements have been optimised specifically for barristers, they are able to gain secure, mobile access to the critical information that enable them to do their job effectively, wherever they are, on any device, such as case documents, diaries, case management, remote billing, financials and client data.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Advanced .