International news roundup: US firms unprepared for remote work; CC launches text comparison tool

Real estate attorneys in US not planning to adopt remote working during COVID-19 outbreak

International news roundup: US firms unprepared for remote work; CC launches text comparison tool

US law firms unwilling to shift to remote working says study
With law firms worldwide moving to remote working to protect employees and clients from the coronavirus outbreak, one study has found that many US firms are not.

The survey from TrackWithEase, a provider of transaction management software for law firms, found that 70% of real estate law firms reported being unprepared to shift to remote working arrangements, with 42% planning no changes to work habits and relying on "working in the office as usual" despite 67% thinking it likely their staff might catch the coronavirus.

Of all law firms polled 87% expected to see a reduced number of clients buying or selling real estate, with 75% reporting it "very likely" to see declines in related law firm fees for the next 6 months.

Clifford Chance launches text comparison tool CompareNow
A technology tool that enables instantaneous and precise comparison and mark-ups of text for drafting has been launched by global firm Clifford Chance.

A pilot earlier this year revealed significant time savings and efficiency when compared to conventional tools. This included a 75% time saving when comparing text in emails.

The firm’s legal tech innovation lab Create+65, in collaboration with Singapore-based startup Alpha LegalTech, has launched the CompareNow tool across the Asia Pacific region initially.

It is available to lawyers across its Beijing, Hong Kong, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney offices.

Legal software business acquired by Advanced
Tikit, the global legal, accounting and professional services software business, has been acquired by UK business solutions firm Advanced.

The sale of Tikit by telecoms group BT, will expand Advanced’s operations into North America, Australia, and EMEA.

“The professional services sector, in particular the legal market, is a strategic growth priority for us,” comments Gordon Wilson, CEO of Advanced. “This sector is an increasingly enthusiastic adopter of sophisticated technology and we have worked hard to innovate and develop valuable solutions that they require.”

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