Following the Covid-19 pandemic, and the government advice to work from home wherever possible, work as a family lawyer has changed significantly.
We as a department were already well set up to be able to work from home, with the case management system containing all documents to enable paperless working where necessary, and so we all duly went home with our PC’s. After some minor teething problems, we were all set and able to continue working almost as if we were still in the office.
There were of course some changes- we were not in the office to take calls, but it was possible to set up a divert to our mobile phones.
The biggest change has been in the way we ‘meet’ clients and deal with Court hearings, with telephone meetings, video calls and email becoming even more common. Luckily, once again, the technology has coped well with the challenges and we have been able to ensure clients have a variety of options available to them for meetings. Court hearings have been dealt with by telephone conference, with the Court using the BT Meet Me service to conference call.
Telephone conferencing for court hearings has been well received by clients, with it saving the need for travel to court and time off work. We have been able to arrange prehearing telephone calls to prepare for the hearing and communicate via short emails during the hearing where further instructions are required. Our case management system also enables us to prepare electronic Court bundles, meaning all papers are readily available to all parties,
It would appear this new way of working will be with us for some time, but we are well equipped to deal with it whilst ensuring we maintain the same standard of service for our clients.
For advice on any family law or matrimonial issues please contact Victoria on 01756 799000 or v.iliff@mewiessolicitors.co.uk.