Using document automation
One of the main ways in which our outsourced legal director support service can help our clients is by introducing document automation. We start by taking a strategic look at the client’s business and legal operations. We usually find that there are some legal documents that are particularly significant – maybe because they are used a lot, or because they take up a lot of resources, or both. These might be engagement letters, non-disclosure agreements, asset management agreements, intellectual property licences, and/or employee option agreements. It depends on the particular business.
In many cases, a good solution is to provide automated processes for creating these documents. Typically this involves an online questionnaire that asks all the necessary questions. The software then takes all this information and creates the document. This has many benefits:
Speed – users are usually able to complete the questionnaire in less than ten minutes. Legal documents can be finalised in days rather than weeks.
Ease – users simply enter the required information and the document is produced for them.
Efficiency – the process uses the knowledge already held by tax, accounting and company secretarial teams, so they don’t have to take the time to brief lawyers.
Cost – the documents are provided at a fraction of the typical cost.
Quality – Because the questionnaire takes people through a logical sequence of questions, they are much less likely to make errors and omissions. And the platform is continually maintained, with ongoing feedback from a community of users, as well as from LCN Legal’s experts.
Occasionally, using automation tools is not the best solution. In these cases, we offer a more traditional fully-advised service. We enter into a direct engagement with the client, offering fully tailored legal advice and support that dovetails with accounting and tax advice.