Roger Smith assesses the impact of technology on legal services
Over the past two years I have accumulated Apple products which have transformed my private and working life. My computer, laptop, tablet and phone allow me to go paperless; operate without a physical office from virtually anywhere in the world; even babysit through Skype my grandson in Switzerland.
If technology can transform my life then it seems inherently incredible that they will not do the same for legal services, even for users on low incomes. And that is the subject of research that I have recently undertaken funded by the Legal Education Foundation and available on its website: thef.org . There are three trends, in particular, to follow.
Private practice
Chris Grayling was apparently gobsmacked that a delegation of criminal legal aid practitioners contained members who did not use computers. It is surprising given their penetration into the back offices of law firms. They are now changing the very form of some types of practice. National brands like Co-op Legal Services and Quality Solicitors are marching ahead with web-advertised, fixed fee packages
