Top tips to help your Chambers increase efficiency
We all know Chambers are constantly under-pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, and unfortunately, five months into 2021 this hasn’t changed. With many Chambers closing offices or downsizing, there is a renewed focus on introducing technologies to replace manual processes, increase efficiencies and reduce running costs. The goal for all is to increase revenue, sustain growth and to remain competitive.
We have outlined some top tips to take-away, on how technology can be used to increase efficiency in your Chambers.
1. Allow barristers and clerks to work from any location
Gone are the days when barristers and clerks were wedded to desks in expensive buildings every day. Time savings, and significant cost savings, can be created by enabling remote working from any location. Chambers need to think imaginatively about how to facilitate this efficiency beyond the pandemic; this may be through introducing a mobile application that enables barristers and clerks to access data from wherever they are, whenever they need it.
2. Automate time-consuming processes
A key factor to drive efficiencies in Chambers is the automation of time-consuming processes. It may be worth considering a system that offers Outlook integration of diaries, tasks, key dates, bookings and opportunities. Creating an accessible diary, and tasks that work in tandem, will ensure barristers can see their schedules and easily prioritise their workloads.
3. Remove the burden of paper-based processes and physical document storage
Traditionally, chambers have worked through mounds of paper in order to reconcile receipts, hours worked, costs and payments. This inefficient paper chase can be extremely resource intensive and often leads to late or lost fees. The capability to store, edit and manage documents within the Cloud reduces printing and courier costs, saves time spent creating and editing documents, eases collaboration with multiple parties and ultimately, increases overall revenue. There is real opportunity for increased efficiencies in switching to paperless working. One of our clients chose to go paperless and have reported that they’ve been able to save £350k per annum in paper-related costs, while also reducing their environmental footprint.
4. Integrate workflows
Another element that could massively increase your chambers efficiency levels is the integration of workflows that allow users to accelerate and monitor case progression. For example, at Advanced, our intuitive internal workflows offer streamlined fee processing capabilities and complete case automation. This delivers faster turnaround of payments and a substantial decrease in overhead costs.
5. Revisit your reporting
Having the ability to digitally monitor performance, in real-time and against a wide range of criteria, will help your chambers identify areas that could benefit from increased efficiency. MLC, our chambers management system, allows the automated compilation of tailored reports that help identify strengths and weaknesses. They provide real insight into past performance and help you plan for the future by identifying any opportunities to expand services and revenues. Having all the required information at your fingertips allows you to better understand the performance of chambers in real-time and to target areas where improvements can be made.
Overall, Innovative technology provides stability, speed and scalability. To keep up, modern barristers and chambers must focus on the efficiency benefits of technology and good business practices in order to remain competitive and to generate enough revenue to underpin on-going success.
How can we help?
MLC offers a true commercial advantage with management tools that maximise barrister and clerk efficiency by streamlining processes and monitoring real-time progress. As well as saving resource costs, MLC can also help you increase revenue growth by more than 10 per cent.*
We developed this cutting-edge technology to meet the changing requirements of modern chambers. By utilising mobile tools that reduce reliance on physical premises, barristers, clerks, solicitor firms and additional third parties can work together seamlessly and efficiently.
*Average return reported by our customers.
Find out more here.