echo.legal helps Charles Russell Speechly’s Construction and Engineering team kick-start their transformation journey
At echo.legal, we want to bring legal technology to a wider audience.
So, we’ve created some stories that show how we work with our clients using document automation and how this creates business results.
This is our story of working with the Construction, Engineering and Projects team at international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) to adopt document automation.
Choosing Consultant Appointments for Automation
Most law firms find that different departments are at different stages of their automation journey. Such was the case for the Construction, Engineering and Projects team at CRS, who were looking to make a start on automating their documents.
Working with Kate Knox, Knowledge Development Lawyer for the Construction, Engineering and Projects team, we made the strategic decision to start by automating their suite of consultant appointments. These letters appointing a professional consultant on a construction project, where repeated data is a common feature, and are integral to daily operations. Automating them meant we could ensure consistency and efficiency across the suite, which would highlight the efficiency gains that automation can bring.
The Rigorous Testing Process
A key aspect of our collaboration was the thorough testing phase. Working with echo.legal meant that CRS could pass over documents to do a first pass at automating, before handing back to start testing.
Kate recalls: "The process with echo.legal was iterative. They would automate a draft, and then we'd thoroughly test it to ensure precision. The team was great in terms of allowing me space and time to carry out the checking, as well as prompting me to ensure it stayed at the top of my priority list."
This process was crucial in fine-tuning the documents to meet the specific needs of the firm and department.
"The team was great in terms of allowing me space and time to carry out the checking, as well as prompting me to ensure it stayed at the top of my priority list.”
Transparent Budgeting and Scope Management
One of the challenges was managing the project's budget, especially when the scope expanded to include an additional document.
Kate appreciated echo.legal’s transparent approach, saying: "echo.legal was clear about the costs. They provided detailed estimates for the additional work, which made decision-making easier for us."
This transparency in budgeting ensured that there were no surprises and that the project could proceed smoothly.
"echo.legal was clear about the costs. They provided detailed estimates for the additional work, which made decision-making easier for us."
Navigating New Legislation
A significant aspect of our project was adapting the documents to new legislation set to come into effect on 1st October 2023. This new legal framework required a nuanced approach to document creation. The new legislation meant we had to rethink how documents would function. Our solution involved a smart questionnaire within the documents, which, based on two simple responses, could determine the applicability of the new regime. This automation not only saved time but also ensured compliance with the latest legal standards.
Innovative Solutions for Complex Requirements
Addressing specific needs like signature blocks and footnotes was another area where the team at echo.legal could bring their expertise.
Kate commented: "echo.legal’s solution for the footnotes was particularly ingenious. With just a click, we could toggle their visibility."
This feature was pivotal in maintaining the utility of internal instructions without compromising the professionalism of the external-facing documents.
"echo.legal’s solution for the footnotes was particularly ingenious."
Enhancing Efficiency and Quality
The impact of our collaboration extended beyond just time-saving. As Kate put it: "It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about ensuring quality. The automated documents provide a level of assurance that is vital in our line of work."
"It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about ensuring quality."
Collaborating into the Future
As a result of the clear, tangible benefits of this project, the Construction, Engineering and Projects team will continue to integrate more automation into its processes. We hope to be able to continue to support, as expert document automation partners, in line with our mission to empower legal teams like CRS to navigate the complexities of legal tech with confidence.
echo.legal is owned and managed by members of the original Contract Express team. We have worked on many of the world's largest deployments of Contract Express at major law firms and corporate legal departments. Discover how we can partner with your legal team or law firm on your document automation and legal technology projects and contact us.