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New Zealand Lawyers Are on the Move

Published: Tue 26 Mar 2013 10:38 AM
New Zealand Lawyers Are on the Move
AUCKLAND, 26 March 2013 – In a big shift from 12 months ago, the New Zealand legal sector is increasingly using mobile devices for work, with almost half using a company issued device, 18 per cent bringing their own device to work, and the remainder are using a mixture of the two, according to a LexisNexis survey of leading New Zealand legal professionals.
Undertaken at the recent NZ LAW conference in February, the survey shows that NZ Law members are using mobile devices for submitting information (100 per cent), referencing legal books (63 per cent), searching for specific legal information (63 per cent), capturing their own notes (58 per cent) and accessing commentary (17 per cent).
The respondents declared mobile devices most helpful for increasing productivity (40 per cent), saving time (30 per cent), increasing communication (20 per cent) and saving money (10 per cent).
“As mobile technology, digital books and social media cross over through advances in technology; it is changing how people work. When you combine the time consuming requirements of the legal profession; the referencing and research, a range of very exciting possibilities emerge that will increase productivity, save time and money,” says Rachel Travers, LexisNexis Pacific executive director, content development.
In response to this demand from these increasingly mobile legal professionals, LexisNexis Pacific has developed LexisNexis® Red™, the world’s first mobile digital referencing tool designed specifically for legal practitioners that is set to revolutionise the way lawyers work, both in and out of the office.
Developed locally in partnership with legal professionals from across New Zealand and Australia, LexisNexis Red allows lawyers and legislators to carry and instantly access the most up-to-date legal research and reference materials via their iPad, laptop and desktop computer, whether they are online or offline.
This world-first technology features advanced search, referencing and annotation functionality using hyperlinked indices, dynamic tables of contents, bookmarking and recent history, and provides access to a substantial proportion of looseleaf titles; eBooks and additional content to be released later this year.
In addition, looseleaf content is updated automatically when a user is connected to the internet, ensuring information is current and correct, as well as reducing significant filing and tracking time for legal practitioners.
Perhaps more than any other profession, the law revolves around words, reading material and research. The way in which it is accessed and utilised will continue to evolve due to advances in technology.
“We have learned that the need to be mobile is very important,” says Travers. “Practitioners want to access information in court, the office, on the move, in down time and at client’s offices, without having to be online. So eBooks and legal content is highly desirable on mobile devices. From legislation and cases, to dictionaries, alerts, and newsletters – it will all be mobile soon.”
Alan Hay, executive officer at NZ LAW agrees: “Mobile devices are inevitable, so combining them with applications that can help increase productivity and efficiency is only obvious.”
To find out more about LexisNexis Red, please visit http://www.lexisnexis.co.nz/lexisnexisred.
About LexisNexis
LexisNexis Legal & Professional (www.lexisnexis.com) is a leading global provider of content and technology solutions that enable professionals in legal, corporate, tax, government, academic and non-profit organisations to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal & Professional harnesses leading-edge technology and world-class content, to help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organisations can leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase profitability and grow their business. Part of Reed Elsevier, LexisNexis Legal & Professional serves customers in more than 100 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide.
LexisNexis® Pacific is the leading provider of local and international news, business, tax and legal information, using leading-edge technology, tools and digital solutions. Both in Australia (www.lexisnexis.com.au) and New Zealand (www.lexisnexis.co.nz), LexisNexis Pacific works in close collaboration with its customers to provide content enabled-workflow systems for professionals in law firms, corporations, government, law enforcement, tax, accounting, academic institutions and compliance assessment.
About NZ LAW
NZ LAW Limited (www.nzlaw.co.nz) is an association of independent legal practices with member firms located throughout New Zealand. There are currently 61 member firms practising in a wide range of legal disciplines ranging from business law, home buying and selling, immigration law and intellectual property to aviation law and viticulture.
The group was established in 1992 when about five law firms met in Auckland to find a way to benefit their clients by replicating the conviviality and the sharing of ideas and expertise that occurs in larger law firms, but still be able to retain client confidentiality and their own independence.
NZ LAW members meet formally at three meetings a year. The agendas not only cover current legal issues, but also legal practice management topics and work/life balance workshops. Each meeting or conference ensures there is time to meet socially to enjoy the warmth and friendliness that has made the group the success it is.
The group as a whole is keen to ensure the collegiality and contact occurs at all levels of staff, not just partners and directors of member firms. NZ LAW holds regular conferences and courses for senior and junior lawyers and legal executives, and there is a strong practice managers' group.

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