---

The Impact Lawyers interviews Alexander Oddy, partner at the Dispute Resolution practice of Herbert Smith Freehills regarding the launch of the new App focused on helping in-house lawyers

1. Why did HSF create the Privilege App?

The idea to develop the web app was generated by positive feedback on the original hard copy version of the Herbert Smith Freehills 'Handy Client Guide to Privilege'. This new interactive digital product makes the analysis quicker, easier and more convenient for in-house counsel wanting guidance on-the-go.

2. What kind of professionals is this app aimed at?

This app will be a real help for busy in house lawyers.

3. How will this App benefit its users on a day-to-day basis?

It allows clients to quickly access the information they need both on their mobile phones and via their desktops. The tool guides users through a short series of questions and then uses the answers to analyze whether a document is likely to be covered by legal advice privilege and/or litigation privilege under English law. Notes providing guidance and interpretation of relevant case law are accessible directly from the question screens. Once all the necessary questions have been answered, an on-screen report provides a summary of the answers given and the likely privilege status of the document.

4. Do you intend to extend the services of this App to other national jurisdictions?

Yes we expect to do so, with a focus on common law jurisdictions where we have a significant presence.

5. Does the App have a system in order to ensure data privacy?

Technical and organizational controls are in place to assure compliance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and other data protection legislation and requirements

6. We are seeing a boom in Apps created by law firms, how is the creation of technological tools benefiting HSF?

This is a great example of teams taking advantage of the opportunities created by technology and digitalisation to improve the client experience. We hope this is a differentiator and keeps the firm top of mind for clients looking to work with  truly innovative lawyers.

We have a track record of developing digital solutions for clients in-house. Most recently a cross-practice team of lawyers and technologists from across the firm teamed up with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to design and build a digital solution to help businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic check to see if they’re potentially eligible to make a claim under their insurance policies. More information here. 

Last year, Herbert Smith Freehills also developed a new in-house pricing tool, which uses machine learning technology to predict how much a new case is likely to cost. The tool, called HSF Jigsaw, was designed by the firm to provide clients with more sophisticated data-informed estimates on the effort to execute and cost of a case in the UK.