Legal Tech: Bridging the divide between firms

Legal technology has changed immensely over the last decade. It has been a key development in shaping how the industry is operating and while uptake has initially been slower than in other sectors, firms are now shifting the way they interact with the digital realm. 

Seeing the power in employing legal technology that enhances operations in firms has been instrumental in the growth of firms as our world continues to become increasingly more digitised. While it was once a privilege that was attributed to larger firms who could afford large scale investments in in-house or outsourced technology, the increase of tech suppliers in the market has made legal technology more accessible for firms of all sizes - from eSignatures to automated title reports.

For some years, the only available software was case management systems, which required an in-depth installation process and had limited integration options unless bespoke services were built. A shift has taken place as more of these systems move to cloud-based services giving greater accessibility to firms of all sizes and easy setup allows solicitors to hit the ground running. A luxury that was once limited by the size of a firm has now been resolved as small firms and sole traders gain access to the same legal technology solutions as the big players. 

The gap between access to technology for small and large firms has also decreased as new suppliers look for ways to address efficiency deficits that are often dictated by administrative tasks which are a burden on law firms and their conveyancing department. By enabling firms of any size to access technology that takes care of the admin, solicitors are now able to focus on the work that requires their expertise and delivering a brilliant client experience. 

Further bridging the divide are an increase of suppliers offering pay-for-what-you-use models. This increases the opportunity for smaller firms to access great technology that aligns their operations with consumer expectations around service and technology, regardless of the size of the business. Increased access through affordability is also aided by new technology on the market that offers client portals and improved access to services that connect the law firm directly to the customer, keeping them updated throughout every step of the process. 

Using services that offer visibility over the progress of client-provided information, such as during the onboarding process, can also prevent the submission of forms with missing information. By switching to digital solutions to carry out conveyancing, law firms can substantially reduce error rates and delays while assisting their clients through the process.  

Technology is no longer only accessible for large firms, smaller businesses can also take full advantage of these solutions with plug and play options ready to go. Many of these solutions and platforms easily offer the opportunity for scalability as a firm grows, through cloud solutions. 

Technology has been a huge aid in reducing the divide between small and large firms by providing access to the same technology regardless of their size. No longer do firms need to make huge investments for bespoke tech. Whether a sole trader or large corporate legal firms, ever-improving access to cutting edge legal technology is bringing the entire industry forward in the digital conveyancing era. How are you using technology to enhance your conveyancing?