Software: survey aims to see how IT systems could be best utilised by the legal profession over the next decade

The Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) has launched a wide-ranging research project examining the influences that will drive the legal profession in the next ten years, to determine how technology can be used most effectively to help lawyers meet their clients' needs.


The industry body has commissioned business development consultancies Practical Solutions and Opportunity Consulting, together with accountancy firm Baker Tilly, to carry out the study.


As part of the project, law firms will be asked to provide information about the various IT initiatives they have taken over the past three years and to consider ways technology could be used in the future to help achieve their strategic objectives - for example, with the increased use of digital dictation, on-line billing and case tracking, electronic documents and on-line shared work areas.


The views of lawyers and law firm managers, as well as non-fee-earning staff in IT, finance, marketing and human resources departments, will be sought. Commercial clients will also be asked to take part in the research.


Barry Hawley-Green, LSSA chairman, said: 'There is a great deal of debate about how the profession is going to change over the next ten years, not just because of technological advances but also through the effects that the Clementi proposals, legislation, government initiatives such as home information packs, high-volume claims and conveyancing factories will inevitably have.'


He added that technology would be critical to business performance, even though it may often be invisible.


Allan Carton, former solicitor and now managing director of Practical Solutions, said: 'The impact of the Internet and mobile technologies has already led to changes in the way legal business is done. This project aims to promote a more enlightened view of how technology can be used.'


He said most lawyers lacked vision when in came to IT - they buy equipment and software but do not use it to its full potential, and have a tendency to modify things slightly instead of making radical changes that will give the best service to their clients.


Mr Carton added: 'The Clementi approach is driving a greater commercial influence in law firms, which will provide greater opportunities for innovation.'


The questionnaire can be downloaded at www.inpractice.co.uk and the results will be presented at the Legal IT 2006 show in February.