Meeting your solicitor during lockdown – video calls
March 8, 2021

Like most other businesses, we’ve had to adapt the way we conduct our work in these unusual times. Lockdowns and social distancing measures have prevented us from meeting with customers in person. However, video calls have provided the ideal opportunity to continue our work as usual. Here’s how we’re using video platforms to keep providing you with an efficient and reliable service.

Maintaining a personal service

If you’re seeking the assistance of a solicitor, you’re almost certainly looking to resolve an important issue which could significantly impact yourself, your family or your business. With that in mind, we feel it’s essential that every client has complete trust in whoever is handling their case.

Ordinarily, meeting you in person and answering any queries you might have would be a key part of establishing that trust. While that isn’t possible in the current situation, video calls offer an excellent alternative. Understandably, the majority of clients prefer to meet face-to-face, and video calls ensure you can still do that, giving you the best opportunity to build a relationship with your solicitor so you can trust that they will always act with your best interests at heart.

Using a variety of platforms

Given that it’s the only way we can spend time with friends and family at the moment, it’s no surprise to see how many different video platforms have grown in popularity during lockdown. While having a range of options is great, the sheer number can also be difficult to keep up with.

We appreciate that a lot of our clients aren’t familiar with using video platforms, which can create difficulties when trying to set-up and connect on a call. For that reason, we can meet on a number of different platforms, including Skype and Zoom, whichever you’re most comfortable with. We also provide simple and easy-to-follow instructions prior to a call taking place. While we do what we can to arrange video meetings, we also completely understand if your preferred means of communication is talking on the telephone or sending a quick email.

Sometimes, video calls can’t meet legal requirements

There are still some situations in which documents have to be witnessed and this cannot be done virtually. When making a Will, you will need two witnesses to be present with you as you sign it; if you can’t arrange this with neighbours over the garden fence, we can meet you outside (suitably masked of course) and act as your witnesses. For signing documents such as guarantees, which require a face-to-face meeting with a solicitor, we will set up appointments at our office with masks, hand sanitising and social distancing measures in place.

Are video meetings here to stay?

There’s no doubt the use of video conferencing has been accelerated by COVID-19 and, given the choice, meeting in person would still be the preferred option for ourselves and many of our clients. However, there’s certainly still a place for video meetings beyond the end of the pandemic.

Logistical factors like distance, and commitments such as work or childcare, can sometimes make it difficult for customers to travel to us. The flexibility of video calls means we’re able to communicate with and provide an equally personal service for any clients who don’t have easy access to our office. So, if it is the preferred method of communication, there’s no reason why video calls can’t remain an option once our office is back open to customers.