There is no reason why the Covid 19 pandemic should bring legal industry to a halt. In fact, this is the time when legal services must continue operations. Businesses need advice and must take appropriate action to comply with changed regulations. Lawyers must consult with clients to prepare brief. Courts need to conduct hearings that cannot be delayed since justice delayed is justice denied. The best solution is to use audio conferencing software for lawyers. It could be better than video conferencing that has proved to be troublesome. For instance, a lawyer appeared on video without wearing the usual uniform to which the Rajasthan High Court objected according to a CNBC TV18 news report of 24th April. If audio conferencing was used no such issue would have arisen and the bail hearing would have proceeded smoothly without dress becoming an issue. There are other reasons why audio conferencing may suit legal industry far better than video.
Audio is easy and less resource hungry compared to video
Audio conferencing software is less resource hungry and will work with a variety of devices such as laptops, IP phones, desktops, mobiles and even landlines. A typical case scenario is a moderator, who could be a judge or lawyer, setting up audio conference to discuss official legal business or to conduct a hearing. Participants log in through authorization codes and a show of hands tells you who are present. Participants may use any available device, which would not be possible with video. Further, some participants may be authorized only to listen in and not participate, which is one feature of the software. Another is that two participants may have a private conversation during the ongoing conference and remain “invisible” to others.
Quality of audio remains unaffected irrespective of how many people join the conference. Further, audio does not impose a heavy load on the network as video does. Besides, it is easy to use. Even those who are not tech savvy can participate with ease. A case in point is that Britain’s courts recommend remote conferencing systems and audio is perfect since one of the requirements of the legal system is that members of the public, such as media persons, can be permitted to listen to the proceedings.
The Bar Council of India is against video conferencing since it is obvious that participants and even lawyers may not have the equipment or software to conduct proceedings securely. Free to use video chat apps have shown security flaws, which is another reason to resist use of conferencing. In this context audio conferencing proves superior since invited participants can use a mobile or landline to join. The meeting remains secure from eavesdroppers and hackers.
Lawyers can use it for a variety of purposes
While courts may take their time deciding about making it official, lawyers can put audio conferencing to good use in a variety of ways:
• Conduct meetings with clients during lockdown and put together their brief.
• Lawyers will be resorted to for guidance given that business scenario has changed and laws are being changed, such as the repeal of labor laws and their impact on businesses. Then there is the matter of how contracts will be affected by Covid and legal implications. Companies may wish to renegotiate contracts and prices. All these issues need legal deliberations and discussions on the best course of action. As a lawyer you may be called upon to handle cases of employee termination and the subsequent issues.
• Lawyers need to keep matters moving by interacting with their employees and associates who may not be able to attend office given the lockdown conditions. Khurana, Khanna and Chopra Associates operate from Delhi and have flexible arrangements with other lawyers as well as paralegals for various services depending on cases. Audio conferencing keeps them working on active cases through discussions and interactions.
There is no reason for legal professionals to shut shop and sit at home twiddling their thumbs when audio conferencing will help them to get through work, at least the kind that does not require court hearings. For instance, a corporate client may require legal advice and may wish to draw up an application for submission to authorities. This is easily done through audio conferencing solutions. The conference or chat may be record for proof or to refer when drawing up documents. Usually, during across the table discussions, there is no facility to record the conversation.
Times are changing. The more technology you include in your legal profession the better it is to save time, effort and money. If you have been slow to adopt better technologies, the pandemic gives you sufficient reasons to make the leap. Legal issues are bound to increase and you will have to do more in a short time. Instead of running around from one place to another, use audio conferencing.
Author Bio:
Hiten Dudhatra is a Team Lead - Digital Marketing at Ecosmob Technologies Pvt. Ltd. He likes to share his opinions on IT & Telecommunication industries via guest posts. His main interest to write the content for Audio Conferencing Software, Web Conferencing Software & Video Conferencing Software. @hitendudhatra
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/060420/supreme-court-guidelines-for-hearings-through-video-conferencing-durin.html
https://www.fraserandfraser.co.uk/britains-courts-turn-to-technology-for-lockdown-solutions/
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/bar-council-of-india-against-hearings-via-video-conferencing-post-lockdown-77594