Maximising technology in lockdown: A law firm's perspective

The pandemic has shifted the way in which we all think about technology.

We are all relying on technology more and the importance of having effective systems in place has increased to allow us to continue to communicate with colleagues, clients and other professionals.

This is very true of Johnson Astills.

On the 24th March 2020, following Government guidance relating to the Coronavirus, Johnson Astills took the decision to close both offices in Leicester and Loughborough but continued to remain fully operational.

The Court issued guidance in respect of hearings and asked legal professionals to conduct hearings remotely, where possible. This affected our Care, Crime and Family departments and with immediate effect, our Solicitors and Paralegals started to work remotely from home with appointments and meetings taking place remotely via telephone or video conferencing.

Our Crime department continued to be available 24 hours a day offering free and independent legal advice and assistance at the Police Station, with some of the interviews being conducted remotely.

Our Wills & Probate department had to get creative to ensure that certain documents could still legally be witnessed - whether virtually, signed electronically or agreeing to visit clients in their garden whilst maintaining a social distance!

During the start of the pandemic, there was a worry about conveyancing transactions and whether they would continue to proceed. However, our Property team has worked well to ensure that all transactions proceeded with minimal disruption.

Throughout the pandemic many business have turned to technology to communicate with their clients, promote their business and support remote working in order to help them resume some, if not all of their normal services. We have all had to adapt and take things in our stride and the way in which we have been using technology has continued to improve.

Johnson Astills are continuing to support their clients remotely with both offices only open for pre-arranged appointments and with social distancing being observed.

Contact us on 0116 255 4855 or 01509 610 312.