By Legal Futures’ Associates Select Legal Systems
According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics 91% of UK adults are now online. So it is no surprise at all that the majority of law firms using LAWFUSION tell us that their clients want to communicate and share info with their solicitors via a secure web portal at their convenience, just like they can with their banks, doctors and the likes of Amazon.
People want to be able to view matter progress updates, share documents and see alerts about case milestones – at a time that suits them – day or night.
People tend to vote with their feet (or their mouse) these days, especially in these difficult Covid-19 times when online tools are more important than ever. Gone are the days when clients would wait for the phone to ring, or for an envelope to drop through the letterbox. None of us want to have to navigate the tedious on-hold telephone systems whilst patiently listening to Greensleeves any more either, when we find it much easier to check out info online.
Law firms could take a lead from our retail friends who are predicting those who embrace online options will weather the storm far better than others. As lockdown rules are eased, under the threat of a second spike, an online choice for clients could be the key to accelerating recovery for many businesses if they have the flexibility to re-adjust their business models.
Of course online info sharing is of benefit to colleagues working together within the law firm too. Especially when people are working on cases together, but from different branches, or indeed from home.
The controlled sharing of information between the firm and relevant third parties via a secure online portal has many benefits too. Especially if the firm can easily control what their contacts at estate agents, mortgage lenders, expert witnesses, executors, trustees, POAs and opposition solicitors etc. get to see, and for how long.
A good legal practice management software supplier should offer secure info-sharing tools. If you would like to know more about the LAWFUSION Case Tracker secure web portal for law firms, please call Select Legal Systems on 01482 567601, between 9am and 5.30pm Monday-Friday. There is also an online enquiry form here for any out of hours enquiries.
Select Legal Systems is a leading supplier of legal practice management software for law firms and LAWFUSION is their flagship product. Case Tracker, part of the LAWFUSION suite of software – it is a secure web portal for law firms who want to collaborate and share info and documents with clients and others online.
