Adopting the Virtual Practices (VP) hosted legal software and outsourced cashiering service has helped Sorrells Solicitors to streamline its services and to move across the UK from Essex to Wales.
Set up in 2005 by husband and wife Robin and Andrea Sorrell, the firm was based in Ongar until this year, when the couple decided to relocate to Meifod in Powys.
Sorrells Solicitors has now become a more niche firm, with Robin advising on wills, probate, trusts and charity law, and Andrea providing a family mediation service.
“Until we decided to break away from the family partnership and move to Wales we had been a traditional High Street firm,” says Andrea.
“We wanted to set up a more streamlined firm in a new location, and had to look at cost effectiveness. We felt we would be able to operate an online accounts service so we decided to do without an external book keeper for the first time, and signed up with Virtual Practices.
“Another key aspect in setting up our new operation was compliance – VP provides us with all the compliance reports we need in order to remain SRA compliant.
“There has been a lot of change and a lot to learn in a short space of time, but everyone at Virtual Practices has been very helpful and supportive throughout. There is no doubt that this has enabled us to successfully practice in a different way.”
Natalie Jennings, who heads up Virtual Practices, which is a division of legal software supplier Solicitors Own Software, said: “Sorrells Solicitors went about completely changing its business model. This now requires a greater degree of flexibility and agility, and it has recognised that both of these are provided in abundance by Virtual Practices.”
