Get the Edge over ABS Law Firms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 23, 2012 -- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has established that 125 applications have been received from law firms and non-legal companies hoping to convert to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) in its first few weeks.

Fixed fees, better communication with clients and smarter use of technology are some of the traits anticipated to become commonplace for ABS law firms. These factors contribute to a more linear manner of giving legal advice – all of which mainstream firms could dominate the more traditional law firms.

ABS firms will have large marketing budgets and business expertise that propose unprecedented benefits to the legal system and the way in which consumers seek out the right law firm for them. Their fixed rates are anticipated to be the deciding factor amid the economic downturn and legal aid reform which is due to be passed under parliament later this year.

All of these factors suggest that traditional law firms will be forced to implement their own cost cutting measures, which means that more law firms could be looking into cloud computing, amongst other technologies, ideally resulting in paperless offices.
The statutory requirement for firms to keep documentation is six years which incurrs huge storage and archiving overheads over such a long period which is unnecessary, considering the available technologies. EDT (Electronic Document Transfer) by

Atkinson Lewis now offers archiving solutions in the form of electronically stored information (ESI) which can be stored with minimal space requirements. This effectively saves firms on expensive storage space and allows staff to concentrate on more urgent matters.

EDT by Atkinson Lewis is a highly encrypted platform for sending and retrieving sensitive documents. It even has a higher security certificate than many UK online banking systems. The software is a cloud-based software system which has been specifically designed for the legal industry concerning childcare cases which deal with local authorities, solicitors, judges, expert witnesses and social workers. However, the software can be used by anyone wanting to keep their documents private under the data protection act.

Further to the cost and time saving advantages, EDT offers its users the ability to form a means of collaborative working, helping teams to work more efficiently and for work between organisations to flow.

Atkinson Lewis is pioneering the use of technology in the family courts. Amid the legal software, the organisation now offers video conferencing facilities for the use of virtual courts. Ahead of the Family Justice’s modernisation programme, Atkinson Lewis has introduced their own, branded tablet PC’s in line with their EDT software that is already being used by law firms and local authorities across the UK.

Law firms have been commending the time saving benefits of EDT by Atkinson Lewis, which has the added advantage of saving money on stationery, courier costs and printing. Whilst many solicitors consider time to be

of pertinence in their busy schedules, reducing any unnecessary tasks is of vital importance for firms wanting to have a prominent stance over their new ABS competitors.

For further information on Atkinson Lewis’s legal software and tools that can help you to save time and money, contact them on 0330 1002 555, email enquiries@atkinsonlewis.co.uk or visit their website www.electronicdocumenttransfer.com.

ENDS

For Media Enquiries:

For interview or further information about this topic, please contact Miss. Kathryn Powell, PR Officer for Atkinson Lewis Ltd.
Email: Kathryn@atkinsonlewis.co.uk
Telephone: 01792 578623 ext 148
Twitter: @AtkinsonLewis
Address: Atkinson Lewis Ltd., 1st Floor, Unit 1, Ystrad Road, Swansea, SA5 4HJ
Website: www.electronicdocumenttransfer.com

Notes to Editors:
EDT offers three levels of access:
• Basic Users can view and download any documents assigned to them for free.
• Advanced Users can also upload documents and assign them to existing users for just £30 per month.

• Managers can appoint new users, create groups, start new projects, monitor users and perform other tasks, including retrieval from the archives for £120 per month.

Atkinson Lewis
Atkinson Lewis is an organisation that specialises in case management services and software. We’re a team of specialists, pooled from all the medical and scientific fields that play a role in childcare cases.

Our clinical experts have spent over 15 years helping to establish patterns of substance abuse among parents and potential carers. And all the while, our admin team has been supporting casework, managing the needs of Courts, Local Authorities, Solicitors and Social Services.

We’re here to save you time and effort – providing all the medical and scientific expertise you need, as well as removing the admin burden. Our complete service includes psychiatric and psychological reports, collection and testing of hair and blood samples, interpretation of lab results and more. We’ll even provide an expert witness to support your case in Court.

EDT
EDT is a brand new Electronic Document Transfer system by Atkinson Lewis. With EDT, every file from your client’s case is scanned, encrypted and uploaded to a secure server - then you (only you) control distribution. Confidentiality assured. Whether you’re sharing legal documents, lab results, Expert Witness reports or entire Court Bundles, it’s a smart, efficient solution that will transform the way you work.

Every Solicitor and Case Manager seems to have the same problem. There’s just not enough space for all those lever arch files that document previous cases. Whether you archive on site or use a document storage facility, there’s a cost to keeping your records intact for the statutory 6-year period.

If you’re over-run with case notes, or running up hefty storage bills, you’ll be pleased to know that there is an alternative.
Our new EDT system is a highly encrypted platform for archiving and sharing confidential documents online. Once a document is uploaded, you can share it with people you nominate – safe in the knowledge that no-one else can gain access without your permission.

Of course there’s nothing new about electronic document storage. But with an EV SSL certificate, and strict document transfer protocols, EDT is the safest way we know to archive and share sensitive information.
It will help you in all kinds of ways:
• Security – Keep tighter controls, with no risk that documents will fall into the wrong hands.
• Efficiency – Access current cases notes instantly and choose a service level for retrieving archived documents...it’s easier than travelling back and fore to your DX collection point.
• Cost control – Electronic storage will cost you a fraction of your physical storage costs.
• Space sharing – A chance to make better use of valuable storage space.

• Eco-friendly – A more responsible way of working –important for securing future contracts with Local Authorities.

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