Dictation software gives Legal Aid work a boost

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Lancashire based law firm Glaisyers is improving efficiency within its Legal Aid practice by using digital dictation software workflow systems.

The firm's recent implementation of the systems from specialist provider, BigHand also helps it in complying with Carter Reform regulations, which outline the requirement for more efficient legal aid working practices.

Chris Bryan, Glaisyers partner and head of the legal aid team who led the switch from tape equipment traditionally used by its staff to compile legal documents to the BigHand systems, said: "The Carter Reform states that legal aid firms must become both leaner and more efficient and BigHand enables firms to work far more efficiently."

He added that the workflow aspect of the technology is very strong: "Many of our fee earners are now able to work remotely, either at home or at court and submit dictations direct to our internal support staff or straight through to [BigHand's outsourcing transcriptions services partner] Voicepath,' he said.

"We will shortly be implementing BigHand's BlackBerry dictation to further enhance the provision for remote working."

Glaisyers has increased its fee earning capacity with zero growth in its support team as a result of using the dictation systems. And the firm is forecasting further fee earner growth for 2008, again with no further increase in support.

The implementation has also eliminated the need for temporary cover. Bryan explained: "We experienced what must be the true acid test recently, where a key secretary was off ill for six weeks; this combined with pre-planned holidays left the firm with only two secretaries in the family department."

He said the ability to split work between remaining secretaries and outsourcing partner, Voicepath ensured that all dictations and work were completed on time despite the challenge of staff shortages.

The firm now outsources all attendance notes through the BigHand system direct to Voicepath. "The flexibility to split dictations, with internal secretaries completing the more urgent and important skill levelled work, has enabled the firm to invest in its support team and crucially 'skill-up' secretaries," added Bryan.

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