Use of Technology

Steven uses state of the art systems to manage large quantities of documents.

We start computerising documents as soon as we commence working on a new case. 

Not only does this mean that he can find documents very easily, it enables him and his team to analyse the documents, find references from one document to another and even check whether documents make sense - for example, is a schedule to a document properly incorporated in the agreement?

Discovery in England is documentary.  It is called disclosure and involves each party producing a list of the documents which adversely affect his own case, adversely affect another party’s case; or support another party’s case. 

By ensuring that all the documents are in our sophisticated systems from the outset, providing a list of documents is not a time-consuming or expensive exercise.  In addition to saving money on disclosure, use of our systems helps ensure that nothing is overlooked and saves time.

In one case recently, our opponents (a large law firm) made an offer, having prepared their list of documents.  They threatened that if our client did not accept the offer, our client would be put to the expense of us preparing the client's list of documents.

We prepared the list of documents whilst on the telephone.  Our opponents were astonished.  The case then settled quickly at the level proposed by our client. 

The technology really does give us an advantage.

As a case develops, documents which were not thought to be important may take on a new significance.  Being able to find them quickly and ascertain which documents refer to a certain subject or subjects, means that the cost of putting the documents into the system is saved several times over during the course of a complex case.

In addition, we are able to prepare selections of documents very quickly and at little cost for clients, barristers, expert witnesses, and the Court (with page numbers if appropriate).

We can also supply disks with the documents in searchable form, even to clients or others who do not have the software in which we have invested.