Caught up in the Web

The Internet is becoming an indispensable part of a solicitor's working life, according to a survey.A study of 209 lawyers, carried out by MORI on behalf of Butterworths Tolley, said 85% of private practice and corporate solicitors use the Internet for work purposes, of which 62% do so daily.The survey said: 'Most lawyers are positive about the future of IT with over two-thirds seeing embracing IT as a vital ingredient to boost productivity of fee-earners and increase efficiency.'But it found that 'not all lawyers are utilising new technology, owing to a lack of IT training or dependence on traditional office methods'.Legal IT guru Delia Venables said some firms still do not make the Internet available to its employees because of 'cost, fear of inappropriate use and concern that it would encourage staff to waste time'.

Andrew Towler