Chambers opts for Ace Infinity system

Alison Laferla reports

Two Garden Court is upgrading its computer network.

The chambers, headed by Ian Macdonald QC and Owen Davies, will install the Ace Infinity system, enabling it to have internal and external e-mail, and to offer barristers access to their own diaries, the Internet and CD-ROM.

The set, which is not disclosing the cost of the system, hopes to have the administrative side of the chambers using the network by 18 November. It then plans to extend the network to barristers.

Chambers administrator Judy Ware said barristers would benefit as the network would give them direct and immediate access to information held centrally, such as library books on CD-ROM and diaries, easing pressure on clerks.

She added: "We hope that instructing solicitors will make use of this faster and cheaper way of sending instructions and receiving written work."

Senior clerk Colin Cook said: "While chambers does not wish to pursue new technology for its own sake, we feel that the Ace Infinity system should carry out those functions needed by chambers in the next three to five years."