Clifford Chance is first to use e-lessons in training scheme

Wobbly overhead projections, mountains of handouts and lost lunch hours have been abandoned by Clifford Chances finance and capital markets practice, in favour of on-line training courses which may be extended to clients.The courses involve downloading ten hours of digitally recorded presentations.

It is believed to be the first time a City firm has used digital video in such a way.The presentations include videos of speakers, materials and links to Web sites.

Lawyers can watch presentations in any order, replay parts and update their knowledge.Clifford Chance aims to roll out the scheme to all 1,500 lawyers in its finance and capital markets practice worldwide, while the real estate team is set to take the e-learning route.Global head of finance Stuart Popham said the firm hopes to train clients the same way.

The scope for this product in relation to client communication is huge, he added.Paula Rohan