The LegalTech Ecosystem in Wales

Harding Evans launched their own app in 2018. The app, developed in-house for residential property clients 159 , provides clients with live updates on the progress of their conveyancing transaction, the ability to access documentation, and the possibility communicate directly with the Harding Evans team 160 . Branded as “[t]he newest customer led innovation in legal services 161 ”, the app is mentioned on the law firm’s website 162 , as well as on its Facebook pages, and generated significant media interest at the time of launch. 163 (iii) Specialised apps and services Specialised apps normally operate in a similar manner to law firm apps, but focus on stand-alone areas of practice and provide a broader range of services beyond document exchange and communication. In 2015 164 , Herding Evans launched a specialised app to provide guidance on HR compliance and tools for calculating statutory payments. The app had been developed in partnership with the Centre of Excellence in Mobile and Emerging Technologies (CEMAS) and the University of South Wales. 165 At present, the app appears to have been discontinued. Acuity Law offers several specialised products. Reputation Management bundles together corporate reputation management protection, as 24/7 crisis management, e-learning and classroom training sessions, and IP and data audit tools. 166 Data Assist offers tailored support and advice about cybersecurity threats, data protection and digital hygiene, as well an audit report highlighting any weaknesses in security. 167 Litigation Funding Assist “offers Acuity clients competitive funding rates, with a time- efficient process in place to ensure effective decision making”, in partnership with Augusta Ventures. 168 RDP Law’s Data Defence “offers advice to clients on issues including information security, data protection, intellectual property, GDPR and cyber security.” 169 Eversheds Sutherland provides its Konexo for alternative legal and compliance services 170 , including legal resourcing, digital transformation, HR services and financial services. 171 Kenxo’s digital transformation 159 Harding Evans Solicitors, “Harding Evans App” (Facebook, 23 August 2018), available at https://www.facebook.com/HardingEvans/videos/harding-evans-app/251964395656900/. 160 Ibid. 161 Harding Evans Solicitors, “Moving House Just Got A Whole Lot Easier”, available at https://hardingevans.com/mango/#/. 162 Harding Evans Solicitors, “Buying a property”, available at https://www.hardingevans.com/services/residential- property/buying-a-property/. 163 South Wales Argus, “Newport law firm first in Wales to launch legal app” (20 April 2018), available at https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/16173413.newport-law-firm-first-wales-launch-legal-app/. 164 Chloe Smith, “Newport solicitors offer clients HR app” (The Law Gazette, 15 June 2015), available at https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/newport-solicitors-offer-clients-hr-app/5049384.article. 165 Ibid. 166 See https://acuityreputationmanagement.com/. 167 Acuity Reputation Management, “Data Assist”, available at https://acuityreputationmanagement.com/data-assist/. 168 Acuity Reputation Management, “Litigation Funding Assist”, available at https://acuitylaw.com/expertise/litigation-funding- assist/. 169 RDP Law, “RDP Flies Flag for Wales in Japan”, available at https://rdplaw.co.uk/rdp-flies-flag-for-wales-in-japan/. 170 Konexo, “Services”, available at https://www.konexoglobal.com/services. 171 Ibid.

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