Solo Winter 2021

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THE NEED FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS A NECESSITY John Espley, CEO of LEAP UK, the legal practice management software provider, puts forward the case that the pandemic has created an opportunity for Sole Practitioners to improve their systems by becoming more agile and therefore offering a better service to their clients. At the start of the pandemic many law firms were still over reliant on old and traditional systems and methodologies, relying on paperbased systems and face to face contact. COVID created an immediate need for new software solutions to ensure business continuity for law firms, which required a smooth transition and the right tools for solicitors to work efficiently. Many practitioners have used any downtime created by lockdown to turn to new ways or working. Investing in new technology and new procedures that will help overcome the challenges that have arisen coming in and out of lockdown. Many law firms have found this an exceptionally busy time, with a noticeable spike in conveyancing instructions in part due to the Government’s stamp duty changes, and also in areas of family law. This has also provided an incentive for firms to reinvent themselves, putting new processes in place, and investing in the right technology to enable a digital working environment. Digital transformation has become a necessity for law firms, and the speed of its adoption has been accelerated by the pandemic. Changes that may have taken years to implement have occurred in months: such as the courts now accepting digital bundles and the Land Registry allowing digital witnessed signatures. For those firms that have been agile and become more digital, it has created an opportunity for them to improve their brand’s standing showing less reliance on

spg.uk.com

an old paper-based system so boosting confidence amongst customers. Cloud technology is by no means new, but it has become a game changer in terms of enabling the same productivity when working remotely. Cloud-based practice management software is empowering legal professionals to work anywhere at any time from any connected device. LEAP has been committed to developing software that supports small law firms, and has fast tracked the implementation of a number of services, such as a 24/7 help desk, and the earlier integration of teams to help clients collaborate remotely. For a firm to become more agile and benefit from the changing landscape, there are a number of points to consider: the pandemic as an opportunity CHECK-CIRCLE Use

to transform to a digital firm, and so increase efficiency by investing in the right technology CHECK-CIRCLE Upskill your team and provide them with the right tools. For example, make it easy to get access to legal guidance which can be harder to find when working remotely CHECK-CIRCLE Be more accessible to your customers, digitalising the client journey from enquiry to instruction tools that aid the collaboration CHECK-CIRCLE Introduce on documents with clients digitally, and share via a secure portal CHECK-CIRCLE Accept online payments and improve cash flow. The pandemic has created this opportunity for law firms to become more efficient, more agile and more in tune with their clients.

About LEAP UK LEAP is a cloud-based practice management system with integrated time recording, billing and client accounting. LEAP has been developed specifically for small to medium-sized law firms. The software’s powerful features allow fee earners and legal support staff to manage their matters more efficiently and profitably from anywhere, anytime and from any device. With an investment of more than £8m each year into research and development, LEAP continually strives to deliver a product that meets the demands of its users. This ensures that law firms using the software benefit from affordable, yet highly innovative technology. LEAP simplifies a law firm’s IT infrastructure and provides a worldclass system for lawyers and staff to work from home. Currently supporting over 2000 law firms across the UK and Ireland to streamline their practices, LEAP has offices in London, Manchester, Brighton, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Dublin.

www.leap.co.uk


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Articles inside

To Search or Not to Search, That is the Question

4min
pages 34-36

We welcome new law on video witnessing of Wills

2min
pages 32-33

Conveyancing Issues for 2021

2min
page 31

The 3 Step Growth Accelerator Plan for Small Law Firms (That Will Work Even During Lockdown

4min
pages 26-27

The Pandemic Effect: The Outsourced Transcription Provider as a Resource

3min
page 30

Revised Anti-Money Laundering Professional Guidance now in force

5min
pages 28-29

The Compliance Year Ahead

5min
pages 18-19

Forensic expertise when you need it

3min
page 21

Bell vs Tavistock: Does informed consent stand in the way of autonomy?

6min
pages 22-23

The need for digital transformation is a necessity

3min
pages 24-25

Council Member‘s Report

10min
pages 16-17

The mediation sweet spot

4min
page 15

Tea at Claridges

3min
page 11

Sole Practitioners Group

11min
pages 6-7

Small but confident steps on the journey into Cyber Security for Solo legal practitioners

5min
page 14

Honorary Secretary’s report

9min
pages 8-9

Solicitors and their Private Lives

5min
page 10

Profile: David Greene

1min
page 5

From the Chairwoman

4min
page 4
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