Why tech-savvy solicitors have the edge — and how a new course can help you get ahead

Ally Thomson, director of Hey Legal, introduces the Society’s Legal Technology Certification course – an unprecedented opportunity for lawyers to shape their future with technology.

Before each cohort of the Legal Technology Certification course begins, I write to all attendees asking them what they want to gain from the course, what challenges they are looking to solve and what topics they hope to learn more about.

One response has stuck with me, coming from the very first group to take the course in January 2024 – so much so that I have referenced it to all groups since, and to the trainees I speak to in TCPD sessions. The response was a full narrative by a practitioner of his journey to try and use technology well in his small law firm. The opening line was:

“In 1980/81, while a very junior partner, I organised the purchase of an Olivetti accounts computer and a Philips word processor with a printer; cost £15k. At the same time I bought a brand-new Mercedes 200 for £7,250.”

Just let that sink in: to introduce new technology into his practice, this forward-thinking and brave lawyer was having to outlay twice the cost of a new Mercedes-Benz.

Power, progress and pricing

The functionality will no doubt have been very limited. You may likely be reading this article on a smartphone. If so, let’s have a think about how much more processing power that device has compared to the 1980/81 purchase. In fact, let’s put our modern technology to the test and ask ChatGPT for some perspective:

“Those 1980/81 office machines were just powerful enough to replace typewriters and ledgers.

“A single modern iPhone could simulate the Olivetti or Philips processor thousands of times over while also streaming HD video, running AI and managing your emails.

“In raw computing terms, you’re looking at a gap of at least one million to one billion times more power in favour of today’s iPhone.”

All in the palm of your hand.

So what’s my point?

The iPhone in your pocket has more computing power than a roomful of those early machines. But for lawyers, the more striking change isn’t raw power but accessibility. Tools that once required significant capital expenditure, installation and training are now available instantly, often for free or through affordable subscriptions.

Word processing and time recording live in the cloud. Case management platforms can be subscribed to at a monthly rate lower than many firms once spent on copier toner. Secure client communication, digital signing and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted research are no longer exotic – they are plug-and-play.

Unprecedented opportunities

The implications are profound. Technology is no longer reserved for the largest firms with the deepest pockets, or for visionary lawyers seeking change in smaller firms. A sole practitioner can now operate with the digital sophistication of a global practice at a fraction of the cost. Just as importantly, subscription models allow firms to scale tools up or down without the burden of sunk costs.

The journey from an Olivetti accounts computer to today’s cloud-based legal tech underscores a simple truth: lawyers have never had more affordable opportunities to reimagine how they work. The barrier is no longer price or hardware. It is willingness – the imagination to ask, ‘How could we deliver this service differently if the technology is already here?’

With such opportunities available, why don’t we all use this new technology and live easier lives? Well, it’s just not that simple. Understandably, there are other factors that can hinder uptake:

• Overwhelming pace of change – new tools arrive constantly, making it hard to keep up or evaluate.
• Pressure of billable hours – learning tech feels like lost time and revenue.
• Conservative culture – risk-averse profession resists untested solutions.
• Implementation hurdles – new technology integration can feel like trying to change the wheels on a moving car.
• Unclear client value – fear that automation reduces billable work or perceived worth.

It can be easy just to sit back and stick with what you know. But doing so is likely a route to falling behind as others seize the moment and implement tech.

The benefits of using tech effectively

Lawyers stand to gain significantly if they make fuller use of technology, including the tools they already have but may not have fully explored. Smarter use of everyday software and legal platforms can automate routine tasks, freeing up hours for higher-value client work.

This isn’t just about efficiency – technology can also improve wellbeing. By reducing repetitive tasks, eliminating duplication and making information easier to access, lawyers can work with less stress and more balance, creating a healthier practice environment.

It also plays directly into staff retention: younger lawyers expect modern, supportive systems and are more likely to stay with firms that invest in them. Clients too increasingly demand speed, accuracy, transparency and secure communication – technology delivers all of these, boosting trust and satisfaction.

In short, making better use of technology is not just about efficiency. It’s about healthier lawyers, more loyal staff, happier clients and a more future-proof practice.

Making the leap: getting on board with tech

This is where the Legal Technology Certification course comes in. Designed for all lawyers – with no tech knowledge required in advance – the course aims to debunk and demystify the technologies that are available to you. No fluff, no jargon.

Its hybrid format features two online sessions either side of an in-person interactive day, where you will learn by doing rather than just listening (bring your laptop!). You’ll build an AI agent, learn how to experiment with new technologies and much more.

Applying your new skills

As part of the certification process, we ask those who have attended the course to tell us how they are thinking differently about technology use in their work and practice, and also what they have actually done with tech since completing the course. The feedback is inspiring.

We have been told of new tech roles being developed, and greater confidence around using tech and experimenting with AI. Many participants intend to optimise their use of existing technology through internal staff discussions and by engaging with suppliers. Many say they now see technology as an enabler rather than a threat or a mystery. They are emboldened to reconsider the processes that feature in their daily work and to identify and solve pain points where they can, leading to happier staff and clients.

Our aim is to make Scottish lawyers among the most tech-enabled in the world. We want Scotland to have a global reputation for being a legal jurisdiction where law firms use tech well; a place that builds products and fosters cutting-edge legal tech start-ups like Wordsmith and Valla; and where you and your clients get to realise all the benefits of successful tech use.

So join us! Course details here, in person or online:

Location: Atria One

144 Morrison Street

Edinburgh

EH3 8EX

From: 18th September 2025

To: 2nd October 2025

Time: 13:00 - 15:00