College of Law installs virtual office

VIRTUAL legality has reached the York branch of the College of Law in the shape of two purpose-built computer laboratories.

The 'virtual legal office' is a pilot scheme designed and implemented by Chris Smith, a senior lecturer at the college, which provides students with a vast range of information including access to Link, Lexis and the Busy Solicitors' Digest.

The office also calculates complex formulae such as those used in the Child Support Act.

As an entire working environment it represents the kind of technology Smith says most firms should have. The idea behind the office is to prepare trainee solicitors for the type of IT they will meet when they qualify.

He admits they are often shell-shocked by the amount of IT available to and used by lawyers.