Survey: Solicitors will be quicker to embrace technology following lockdown

UK News

28
Sep
2020

Editor

A recent survey from St John’s Buildings barristers’ chambers, headquartered in Manchester, has revealed the changing attitudes of solicitors with regards to technology as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 120 solicitors were surveyed and asked to share their thoughts on working from home and how technology has impacted their working practices.  

97 per cent of solicitors surveyed expect homeworking to be more commonplace in the future, whilst 92 per cent of respondents said they will continue to use technology to interact with clients and the Court, even when they return to the office and courts reopen.

The survey provided interesting insights into how the legal sector is embracing technology and intends to continue to utilise it far into the future. 

87 per cent of solicitors said they expect online court hearings to become more commonplace as a result of COVID and 84 per cent of solicitors said they will be quicker to embrace technological solutions following the pandemic. 87 per cent of respondents also said they will continue to use technology as an alternative to face-to-face meetings moving forward.

David Anderson, Head of Corporate Services at St John’s Buildings comments: “COVID-19 has forced every sector to adapt and the legal sector is no different. This survey demonstrates just how resilient our sector can be, but also how essential technology has been throughout this period. In March when the courts closed it’s fair to say there was a level of uncertainty regarding how to proceed, but to see so many of our solicitor partners embracing technology and continuing to work closely with our barristers is very encouraging.

“As a chambers which has embraced technology for many years it’s great to see the sector as a whole welcoming this change and acknowledging the benefits technology can bring not just during this challenging time, but in the long term.

“For us it’s essential that we understand the ways in which our solicitor partners will be working going forward so we can continue to deliver the same high level of service that they expect whether face-to-face or virtually.”