Alison Laferla reports

Reading solicitors Rowberry Morris says the benefits of IT are fully appreciated by clients.

Richard Leathem, head of litigation, has used the email system Link to send client instructions to chambers in London and received a fully documented reply in 18 minutes. He said the process could take weeks using the postal system.

"Using the lawyers' Internet enabled the barrister to deal with my request at his own pace and send his reply electronically, thereby enabling me to insert his words into my word processor without further typing," he said. "The client was delighted how quickly two legal advisers were able to co-operate on his behalf."