New virtual firm SJ Legal connects with Virtual Practices

26 April 2010

Yet another new start-up law firm, SJ Legal, has chosen the software as a service (SaaS) model for case and practice management and outsourced legal cashiering from Virtual Practices.

SJ Legal offers commercial advice and civil litigation services to predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Founder Sarah Goulbourne commenting on the changes in the marketplace that the Legal Services Act will bring, said: “The time is right, I believe, to establish a technology-based, paperless business which operates as a virtual firm, in order to deliver high quality services at competitive prices. The virtual model keeps the overheads low, offers greater flexibility to our staff and is an advantage when attracting new staff to join us.”

SJ Legal shopped around for a legal software provider. Sarah Goulbourne was already aware of Virtual Practices having previously used SOS, which is the software that powers the service.
“Virtual Practices is purpose-designed for the smaller firm and is very competitively priced. It is a big advantage not to have to make a capital outlay on IT or employ a legal cashier as we are able to outsource the running of this function, too,” said Sarah Goulbourne.

Virtual Practices was one of the first legal software providers to adopt the SaaS model, paid for by monthly subscription and place the modern and richly-featured SOS software within the financial reach of small firms and new start-ups. The service covers matter, case and document management, record keeping, accounts updating, integrated time recording, customer relationship management (CRM), regulatory and management reporting. In addition, the outsourced online legal cashiering service provides the reassurance that the accounts comply fully with Law Society regulations. Clients access Virtual Practices via the Internet making it easy for people to work from home or any location and simplifying the addition of new users.

SJ Legal went live with Virtual Practices at the end of March.

Stephen Parry, business development director of Virtual Practices said: “Firms like SJ Legal which grasp the opportunity to improve their competitiveness, efficiency and flexibility to service clients will be the winners in the post-LSA marketplace. We are delighted to support them with first-rate software and services.“