The Law Society launched a draft protocol to reduce the cost of electronically submitting and exchanging information in civil litigation last week.

The draft practice direction on the use of IT in civil proceedings can be used by all litigants - not just large law firms - and sets out a standard electronic format for supplying information.

The direction was drawn up with input from City firms Simmons & Simmons, Denton Wilde Sapte, Lovells, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw, and Allen & Overy.

It will cut down on time spent reformatting incompatible data and encourage parties to submit pleadings in Word documents, which can be easily cut-and-pasted for drafting replies.

Christine Gibitass, litigation support manager at Denton Wilde Sapte and member of the LiST group of litigation support technology specialists, said: 'The practice direction will incorporate a protocol drafted by LiST for the exchange of disclosure data and documents electronically.

This will simplify such exchanges, as those using the protocol will provide and receive data in an easily achievable standard format, rather than agreeing different formats for every such exercise.

'The use of the protocol to exchange in electronic format will save everyone time and money, whilst allowing firms to continue to organise their litigation support systems in whatever way best suits them.

Although practice directions have been issued in other jurisdictions, LiST believes the protocol is the first of its kind, worldwide.'

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said: 'This would be a positive step forward for solicitors who are increasingly using IT in their dealings with the courts and clients.

Setting ground rules for solicitors exchanging documents electronically will enable simpler and more convenient communication.'

The draft direction will be available for consultation until the end of May.

LINK: www.scl.org

Rachel Rothwell