Administrative tasks are prohibiting lawyers' productivity

Over two-thirds of partners and fee earners are spending more time on administrative tasks than they did five years ago, according to a survey.

The survey of almost 200 people working in the legal industry showed nearly half of all respondents feel their workload is too heavy and is stifling innovation. Respondents advised that a lack of support staff and heavy workloads are the main barriers to productivity and stops them to come up with new ideas.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Andrew Whiteley, managing director of Lexacom, said: "In an increasingly competitive marketplace, there is even greater pressure on firms and individuals to do more in less time. Law firms need to find smarter ways of working to manage heavy workloads so that their professionals can focus on delivering the high value work expected of them."

The study found that less than 10 per cent of fee earners and partners feel they are working efficiently and when asked what processes or systems would help improve efficiency, over half responded by saying more administrative support. Forty per cent suggested better planning.

"If partners are typing their own documents, the chances are they are not as efficient or accurate as a trained secretary," said Whiteley. "With the increase in use of secure cloud technology, systems such as digital dictation and workflow with integrated outsourced transcription can ensure documents get produced accurately and on time, without costly admin overheads."

In addition, over 30 per cent of respondents said they would be able to undertake more pro bono work if they had an extra hour in their day. Bob Nightingale, chief executive of the LLST who co-commissioned the report, added: "At a time when providing fair access to legal advice is under threat, it's great to see that so many respondents would be keen to take on more pro bono work. However, tackling workload clearly has to come first before we can tap into any additional resources."

The survey also showed there is a demand for more flexible ways of working, with a third of respondents saying they do not have the correct technology to allow them to work from different locations. This has led to a call for firms to make better use of secure cloud technology, as well as a need to adopt more user friendly and intuitive software and buying updated computers and equipment. Respondents believe that together this would allow for a better work-life balance, improved efficiency and productivity.

"There have been huge advances in secure mobile and cloud technology in recent years. Where people used to be restricted to one office because of the limitations of technology, there is now much more freedom to work wherever and whenever it suits you.

"It's clear from people's answers that working more flexibly has all sorts of benefits, both personally and in terms of better productivity, so there are opportunities to unlock greater efficiencies if law firms are prepared to invest in the right technology," Whiteley concluded.

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal