The Legal Web 2010/2011: Modern Practice Topics for Solicitors, now available, is no 13 in a series of
online ebooks with CPD, called "The Legal Web".
These ebooks with CPD (published in pdf) are designed for use in any of three ways:
- reading on screen, with live links to follow up on areas of interest
- printing off in sections for armchair reading
- as an online course qualifying for CPD from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The courses consist of practical articles written by Nick and Delia and other leading
experts in their fields. Full details of all the courses in the series are given on the
infolaw site but here is a brief summary.
Contents and Course Aims
See a Review from Tessa Shepperson!
(She likes it)
The traditional law firm is changing rapidly at the moment or, to put it another way, the traditional law firm, in order to be
successful in the modern world, is having to change rapidly. Clients no longer come to the firm because they always have
always done so – they are looking for not only the traditional skills of being a lawyer, but also indications that the lawyer,
and the firm, is open to new ideas, is working in a modern and responsive way and – perhaps most important of all – is
using whatever means are practicable to keep costs down. If the local firm does not satisfy those criteria, the potential client will look around, will ask friends and relatives, and will search the internet.
This course gives a firm some of the information, the tools and even the weapons to fight in this war, and to win often
enough to survive and prosper. An outright win is no longer possible – staying in the game with reasonable success and a
positive outlook is probably all that can be achieved and is certainly a worthwhile aim to be getting on with.
Each of the chapters is intended to take the student one hour to read and absorb.
Each ebook qualifies for 5 CPD hours from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Note: this ebook is not designed for barristers, and is not accredited by the Bar Standards Board.
The ebook can be read on screen and all the links to relevant web sites described in the text are provided,
making an interesting and useful course experience.
There is a straight forward test at the end to be returned to Delia Venables for marking. We hope you will enjoy this ebook and find it interesting and useful.
1. New ways to organize firms
Virtual firms by Delia Venables
The Blacklaws Davis hybrid model by Christina Blacklaws
A new kind of advocate: a new kind of chambers by Flora Page
I’ve been virtual for ages! by Dick Jennings
2. Social Media for Law firms
Social networking for law firms by Jordan Furlong
Social software at Addleshaw Goddard by Mark Gould
3. Referral and marketing companies
Quality Solicitors – taking on the big boys by Tessa Shepperson
Contact Law – making Tesco law work by Tessa Shepperson
LawNet – stronger together by Tessa Shepperson
TakeLegalAdvice – giving consumers information and choice by Delia Venables
Legallybetter – based on client ratings and reviews by Justin Patten
Referral company or marketing company – just a question of terminology? by Delia Venables
4. Your web site – accessible, interesting and productive
Accessibility – less to worry about? by Andrew Gray
Converting browsers to business by Allan Carton
DirectLaw – online document drafting by Delia Venables
Client satisfaction surveys – off-line v online by Sue Bramall
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO – a holistic approach by Nick Holmes
Self Help Guide to SEO for Law Firms by David Gilroy
The importance of local search in web marketing by Susan Hallam
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, you will understand the following:
- Different ways that firms can be organized – virtual, hybrid and cooperative
- How social media (Web 2.0) is being used by some firms to provide a modern and responsive image and to gain clients
- What types of referral and marketing companies are available and some of the ways they differ from each other
- Ways of making your web site accessible, interesting and productive (particularly with online document drafting), and then how to assess client satisfaction
- Search engine Optimisation (SEO) otherwise known as “getting to the top in Google”. How can you do this? Whilst victory in this field is never absolute or permanent, you learn about some of the things that you can do to get ahead.
Gaining the CPD
To qualify for the 5 hours CPD, you need to answer a straight forward set of questions.
You can see the questions
here (you do not have to have already purchased the e-book to see the questions).
The questions are not difficult in themselves
but are intended to indicate, for CPD purposes, that you have indeed worked through the materials,
visited some of the sites described in it and considered the issues raised.
You can print out the questions to keep beside you as you read the e-book.
However, please note that the questions may change from time to time.
Do not worry about the precise style or format of the answers — the questions will be marked by a human being (ie me),
not a machine! Please keep your answers short and simple; the process is not designed for “essay” type answers.
Also, do not hit "Return" or "Tab" in the middle of one of your answers, since the system then assumes that you
have finished answering that question.
The pass rate is 70 per cent and practitioners may submit one further set of answers if they fail the first time.
I am normally able to send you the reply within 2 working days. However, occasionally there are computer problems or I am even on holiday!
If you wish to check on the latest situation with respect to possible
problems or delays, please see
The Problems Page.
Evaluation Form
There is an evaluation form
here which enables you to comment on whether the course has met its
aims and intended learning outcomes, the ease of using the online materials, the relevance of the set of
CPD questions and whether the course gives good value for money. There is also a question relating to
accessibility issues and whether we can make the course easier to use for those with any kind of disability.
You can fill in this form online and submit it to me (the process of doing this is the same
as answering the test questions). If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can print out the form, fill it in by hand
and post it to me at 10 South Way, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1LU.
Cost and How to Purchase
The course costs £70 plus VAT and includes the use, by one person, of the course, qualifying for 5 CPD points.
A multiple use licence, suitable for organisations with several people likely to use the e-book and including the
licence for up to 5 people to take the course, costs £170 plus VAT.
For organisations purchasing the multiple use licence and wanting more than 5 people to take the course
and obtain the CPD, additional CPD entitlements can be purchased in packs of 5, for £15 a person, ie £75,
plus VAT (obviously, each person still has to take, and pass, the online test!).
You can purchase the course from the infolaw site
here.
After completing the purchase, the user can access and download the course, and when ready, complete the
brief test and be credited with the CPD.
Purchasing is by secure credit card processing and allows immediate
access to the course. If you do not wish to pay by credit card, other payment methods can also be accommodated
on the infolaw site, including sending a cheque. Online access is enabled on receipt of payment.
