A digital conveyancing tool that has dramatically increased efficiency in property transactions has earned South West law firm Foot Anstey recognition for the second consecutive year in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Report.
From a group of 21 national and international firms, Foot Anstey, which has an office in Bristol, was ranked as ‘standout’ for having one of most innovative IT systems in the legal profession. 
Each firm is scored out of 10 points for originality, rationale and impact, giving a maximum score of 30. Foot Anstey scored 27, joint second alongside Baker & McKenzie, the world’s largest international law firm. For the ‘impact, Foot Anstey achieved a maximum 10 out of 10 – the only firm to do so.
The new system was designed entirely by Foot Anstey’s own solicitors, led by legal director Rebecca Kibby, pictured, and used state-of-the-art software tools from Thomson Reuters. The firm’s IT team implemented the structure across the firm’s offices.
IT director Duncan Eadie said: “This is another example, externally recognised by the FT, of how Foot Anstey technology delivered through the firm’s PMS system and enabled by support staff working closely with our lawyers, is aiding innovation in the operation of our business and services to clients.”
Thomson Reuters Elite vice president Patrick Hurley added: “As one of the first clients to use our Mattersphere and 3E PMS products in the UK, Foot Anstey has used the potential of these powerful tools to re-engineer a key team within its business.
“We are proud to be a part of Foot Anstey’s innovation and we share their excitement about the potential to benefit their clients.”
Last year Foot Anstey appeared in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Report for its work with retailers Screwfix and B&Q TradePoint on a scheme to offer improved access to credit for tradespeople.
