The Orange Rag - from Legal Technology Insider

Social Media - the #TwitterJokeTrial

Charles Christian — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Here's a comment on the Twitter Joke Trial proceedings in the Court of Appeal...

Andrew Sharpe, Lexis PSL lawyer, said: “Today the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) heard the appeal of Paul Chambers against his conviction under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003. The case is better known by its Twitter hashtag #TwitterJokeTrial, as it involves the prosecution of Paul for sending what was considered by the Crown Court to be a message of a menacing character. Paul had joked on Twitter that if Robin Hood Airport did not get its act together (to clear snow in January 2010), he would blow it up.

“The Court has reserved judgement, meaning that it needs time to consider the arguments presented today. A judgment is expected in around a month.

“From today’s hearing, it appears that the Court has not chosen to address whether the offending tweet had a menacing character to be caught by section 127(1) of the 2003 Act. This is disappointing to many commentators, who consider that the whole basis for the prosecution under this provision was flawed. Instead, the Court has addressed the effect of Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the right to freedom of expression, on the case. The right can be qualified by legislation in the interests of national security or public safety. The Court of Appeal must therefore consider whether prosecution of Paul for a bad joke on Twitter under section 127(1) was a proportionate response by the Crown Prosecution Service in order to safeguard national security or public safety. If it was not, then Paul will be acquitted. If not, his conviction (including his fine) will stand.”

SOS launch new microsite to help law firms in LSA/ABS era

Charles Christian — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:42:00 +0000

Solicitors Own Software (SOS) has today launched a new multimedia resource portal for law firms seeking to learn from the successes of others as they face the challenges of the new post Legal Services Act legal landscape.

In launching the new microsite, David McNamara, managing director of SOS said: “There has been much scaremongering about how mid-tier firms will survive in the future; however, we aim to stimulate a more positive tone to this business critical conversation. Many of our clients have been preparing for the impact of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) and have valuable stories to share. The SOS resource portal focuses on these law firm successes, providing real life insights and practical advice from our clients about the actions they are taking to realise their business goals and stand out in the market, and how they are harnessing IT to help.”

The multi-media resource features case studies, videos, infographics and an ABS whitepaper containing a collection of voices from law firms, consultants and business leaders. The free whitepaper addresses How can law firms succeed in the new legal era?

“As a significant supplier to the market,” continued David McNamara, “there is an expanse of knowledge and record of success within our client base which can help others look to the future with confidence. We are delighted that wider industry experts have also contributed to the portal.”

Top executives from firms including Ashton KCJ, Wollen Michelmore, and Woolley & Co have participated in the portal to impart their experiences and share lessons learned. Sector experts Chris Cann and Michaela Hardwick tackle issues like risk, compliance and change management. Neil Rose, a recognised commentator on the Legal Services Act, also offers some key lessons for law firms.

From today SOS has also launched a new marketing campaign designed to stimulate the business critical conversation of what law firms can do differently to compete in the new legal era and to build awareness of this new free resource for law firms determined to succeed.

More information is available at http://www.soslegal.co.uk/success

Comment: Well done SOS for taking this initiative. There's been a bit too much focus on the threats posed by the LSA and not enough on the potential opportunities it opens up to ambitious law firms of all shapes and sizes. The site will be added to over the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Joanna Goodman - No Comment

Charles Christian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:53:00 +0000

As a result of the intense social media interest and speculation surrounding an incident in New York last week involving 51-year-old, West London housewife Mrs Joanna Mardon – better known as the freelance journalist Joanna Goodman – we are making this document (also attached as a PDF) publicly available. (Jane Christian is the marketing director of Legal Technology Insider Ltd and the wife of Insider/Orange Rag editor Charles Christian.)

You love us - what can we say...

Charles Christian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:15:00 +0000

A modest bit of gloating here as we've just had these survey results come in from a technology vendor...

Iridium Technology – a consultancy that focuses on business intelligence for law firms – has just announced the results of their customer satisfaction survey. As part of the survey, Iridium included questions about legal media outlets and their client’s interest in social media. The majority of respondents to the survey were CFOs and Financial Reporting Managers. Key findings:

· The Orange Rag/ Legal Technology Insider, Legal IT Professionals, and TheKnowList were cited as the most important sources of legal IT news and information

· Iridium provides regular updates to their client base through monthly update emails and more than 90% of the clients rated this content as “Valuable” or “Highly Valuable”. However, when asked if they were interested in following Iridium on Facebook, 83% of the respondents replied “No Interest”. Additionally, when asked if they were interested in following Iridium on Twitter, 92% of the respondents replied “No Interest”

“Firstly, kudos to Rob Ameerun, Charles Christian and Daniel Brown,” states Tom Jones, President of Iridium Technology. “The results clearly showed that these three fine publications are where Iridium clients go for legal news and information. Secondly, it is good to know that our clients are not interested in following Iridium on Twitter or Facebook. This will save Iridium time from posting updates which we already provide through our newsletters, allowing us to continue to focus on providing high quality BI implementations for our expanding client base. Tweet that!”

Iridium’s customer satisfaction survey was independently run by Adept Alliance LLC, a Reno-based business services firm.

Normal service resumes (well as normal as we ever get)

Charles Christian — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:37:00 +0000

So normal service on this blog has been interrupted by the trip to LegalTech New York. Plus the timezone disconnect and jet-lag. Plus the almost non-existent wifi & mobile phone coverage in the conference vicinity (why can conference organisers never get this right). Plus an attack on the Orange Rag's marketing director Jane Christian by a British legal IT journalist (full details to follow next conference call with the NYC District Attorney's Office). And now we have the snow – yes we are snowed-in in deepest, whitest Norfolk. However normal service is resuming...