Page 40 - EngineerIT February 2022 UPDATED

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND INNOVATION

THE CASE FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY

IN THE LEGAL INDUSTRY

n 2018, a judge presiding over a case in the KwaZulu-Natal Local Division of the High without video, lawyers often can’t see
Court determined that an 80-year-old Yugoslavian witness, who couldn’t afford to travel who has joined the group conference call.
Ifrom her home country of Montenegro to Durban for the case, could provide evidence In most cases, lawyers rely on
and undergo cross-examination remotely using video conferencing (VC) technology. nonverbal communication cues when
Three years on, the pandemic has fuelled VC technology’s meteoric popularity growth deposing witnesses and interacting with
in the legal industry, making it more than just a tool for isolated court cases and a catalyst clients. Legal professionals can pick up
for change in legal firms throughout the world. on these cues during video conferencing,
which creates a more realistic
The rise of virtual law firms environment than audio-only calls.
Historically, technology has been a mechanism for change, allowing companies to adopt
more competitive business models, and law firms are no exception. How traditional legal firms can shift
According to a study by Hazelwoods, 1,270 lawyers worked in virtual offices in 2020, in to virtual operations in 2022
the UK alone, which is a 22% increase from the previous year’s figures. This growing trend With VC technology, law firms can change to
occurs globally as more legal organisations redefine traditional law firms by transitioning to a hybrid or entirely virtual way of working.
virtual operations. Like the commercial law firm Hill Dickinson’s
“When comparing a virtual law firm’s day-to-day operations to a traditional one, it’s use of VC technology, Logitech’s range of
easy to see why this alternative is so appealing”, says Loubna Imenchal, Head of Logitech VC solutions, also helps legal professionals
for Enterprise Business AMECA . “Using VC technology, law firms can conduct face-to-face navigate the current challenging climate
consultations, depose witnesses and finalise deals more effectively than their traditional while maintaining and building relationships
counterparts, saving time and money”. with colleagues and clients.
The 2018 High Court case shows that VC technology allows legal firms to consult with By using VC technology, more law
clients in different provinces or countries. This technology also minimises the time and firms will be able to handle clients’ rapidly
effort legal firms spend communicating with clients in person and travelling from one changing needs while maintaining a
location to another. healthy profit margin and providing the
VC technology also has a significant security advantage over phone conferencing as best service possible.

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