Advocates embrace tech to manage cases

Digitisation and going paperless has turned out to be the buzz word at the Madras High Court (MHC). While the process of digitising the old case files has commenced at the MHC with a private player bagging the tender to complete the process, advocates are also not lagging in becoming tech savvy.

Thanks are due to online legal service providers, who have come out with its cloud-based legal practice management software with dedicated mobile applications, which aims to empower lawyers to go digital.

One such app LIBRA, which has now been made freely available to the members of the Madras Bar Association (MBA) on both Android and iOS platforms allows lawyers to manage cases and have access to their documents at the press of a button.

The app, besides providing access to the cause list of not only the Madras High Court and its bench at Madurai, but all other high courts and the apex court.

Another interesting feature is that it keeps track and notifies the advocate using the app about case hearing and appointments. In fact, when the counsel’s name is entered, and a related case appears in the cause list, the intimation comes through. This ideally does away with the process of scanning a bunch of papers daily to find whether his or her case is listed for the day.

Moreover, the app shows the court display board in real time. It is a common sight in courts to see lawyers rushing to see the display board placed at vantage points, to figure out the progress of listed cases, in the over 50-odd courts in session.

Some advocates can be seen literally making a dash to the court hall, realising that the case is poised to reach any time. Now, with the display board available real time on one’s phone, the advocates can plan their time better.

Also, for a solo lawyer and a small law firm, the app has enabled the creating of a digital office. Besides paving way for organising all documents in a secure, online space, it helps advocates to create a library and make essential notes. This will help them to do a quick study for a case and be equipped with recent court cases and judgements. Advocates can manage billing by tracking their expenses, raising invoices and creating bills thereby helping them keep a tab on the revenues. The trademark search allows lawyers to check status and records of the company.

Hrishikesh Datar, founder and CEO, Vakil Search, said, “Libra is a robustly secure and easy-to-use app that has much more to offer than practice management on the go.” Although numerous apps are available for lawyers in other countries and the competition thereof, the process is fast catching up in the country, with several players like LegalSoft Systems, Innovation law lab and Vakil diary offering a comprehensive legal research and case management software for advocates, law firms and corporate legal departments. While LawLab is a cloud-based software, VakilDiary is an Android online App with an accompanying website. 

The promoters claim that the application is designed by law practitioners and made available to the lawyers, advocates, judges and other law practitioners, to manage and maintain their daily case register.

However, reactions to the app are mixed. While some lawyers have welcomed it, others say that the process needs from refinement. Advocate Richard Wilson said, “Although the app has come in handy, there are a few shortcomings, such as it being unable to differentiate between the various kind of cases filed like writ petitions, miscellaneous petition, Service Tax appeals, criminal appeals, criminal revisions, PIL matters and so on. Also, when any update is made to a case, it fails to reflect on the main writ petition. Moreover, the research process ought to be upgraded and access created for daily orders.” With digitisation becoming the order of the day in building global competitiveness, such mobile apps are expected to empower lawyers by developing their skills, managing their time and above all provide a new dimension in augmenting their practice.

Legal apps empower lawyers to go digital