Over the past year it has become apparent that the legal profession will undergo massive change during the next decade. Not just changes introduced by the Government through e-conveyancing, the Legal Services Commission (on both Civil and Criminal services) and as a result of the Clementi recommendations; but also due to changes in the social environment, public perceptions and expectations of legal services generally and the impact of broadband and the Internet.

New Horizons details how best to harness new opportunities and address business issues during an unprecedented period of constant and prolonged change and is unparalleled in the practical advice it provides.

The research included is generated from an extensive survey of legal practices, from sole practitioners to the top 5, plus wide ranging interviews and discussions with lawyers, business clients, in-house legal departments and introducers of legal work.

The report examines vital strategies and tactics that should be developed to capitalise on new and existing opportunities in this changing market:
▪ Cost reduction, and adding more value, whatever the price;
▪ Getting closer to clients – understanding business needs, tailoring how we deal with members of the public to fit with what they want in every respect possible;
▪ Adding local convenience and personal touch to add value where possible;
▪ Filling gaps in business and legal expertise;
▪ Distinction between specialists in commoditised and high value legal services;
▪ Niche or one-stop solutions;
▪ New Business Structures: Exploiting flexibility and business agility, improving service and revenue through non-legal services, attracting new talent and improving personal development;
▪ Consolidation;
▪ Mergers, acquisitions;
▪ Collaboration and Integration: Capitalising on knowledge, experience and expertise, internally as well as between clients, competitors and associated business.

New Horizons also represents a major step forward in developing a common understanding of exactly what is needed to make IT within legal practices more successful. If legal practices want to prosper it is clear that they must gain real, measurable benefits from the introduction of IT.

To accompany this report, there are also additional keynote presentations from the LSSA conference at Legal IT 2006. The presentations include:

▪ “New Business Models” by George Bull & John Oates - Baker Tilly;
▪ “Putting the Jigsaw Together” by Alan Hodgart;
▪ “The Future of Legal Practice - New Horizons” by Allan Carton;
▪ “New Initiatives at Withy King” by Martin Powell - Withy King;

New Horizons for Lawyers & Legal Services Providers is an exceptional piece of research that develops clear guidelines for taking your firm into the future competitively and, ultimately, profitably.

To purchase your copy online simply add to your shopping cart below. Simply call us now on +44 (0)20 8785 5900 to order over the phone.