There are many applications of workflow technology in the modern law firm. From off-the-shelf case management systems designed to automate the processes of a debt recovery or conveyancing practice, to matter-opening and conflict-checking systems used across the many different practice areas of a large international firm, workflow technologies, and even process modelling toolkits, are increasingly becoming an essential part of the modern legal practice. And this despite the fact that so many lawyers clearly loathe them.
In the accompanying article, Steve Blundell of Gracechurch Consulting explains the extent to which well-meaning support staff can run into problems when they attempt to introduce elements of process, to demystify or, dare we say it, de-skill the tasks carried out by fee earners.
