University launches virtual legal office

The Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has launched HiveLaw – an innovative virtual legal office that will equip the institution’s Law Clinic staff and students with the technological tools they need for modern legal practice. The Herald report notes the Law Clinic functions as a fully-fledged law firm registered with the Legal Practice Council. It assists members of the public who would not ordinarily be able to afford the services of a lawyer. SA LawLabz – a tech start-up backed up by leading corporate and commercial law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and information technology experts from CloudEssentials – partnered with NMU to create HiveLaw. NMU’s Dr Marc Welgemoed said HiveLaw’s state-of-the-art technology offered features such as client onboarding, document management, email filing, time recording, diary management and student assessments. ‘HiveLaw is a SharePointbased practice management solution, custom-designed to fit the university’s Law Clinic’s dual purpose of legal service delivery and practical legal education. Users can access a combination of interconnected modules that speak to a law firm’s requirements, which include conflict of interest checks, accounting (drafting bills of cost), letters and legal document generation.’ Welgemoed said HiveLaw addressed two major concerns, namely improving access to justice and advancing legal education. ‘We recognise the need to deliver quality legal services to the less privileged living within impoverished areas of Nelson Mandela Bay and other surrounding areas,’ Welgemoed said.