Myths and Realities of Legal Offshoring

Legal offshoring is a fast expanding industry worldwide; however several myths surround the concept. The significance of the legal provision demands addressing these issues. The emerging business volumes in the LPO industry stand testimony against the charge. The myths sometimes form a hurdle in off shoring legal work. In fact offshore outsourcing is an essential part of globalization that ensures an upper edge for many reputed legal firms in the very competitive world.

One of the primary concerns of outsourcing is the quality and the confidentiality maintained. Contrary to the myth, offshore legal service providers maintain a high quality of standards in paper work; they employ professional trained lawyers and paralegal staff and have a systematic approach to the work. The offices are maintained with necessary security systems from CCTV cameras, biometrically operated doors to secure computer networks. Confidentiality is greatly regarded by these firms to maintain the reputation in the industry. Firms offshoring work can also get the work insured against any malpractice.

Violation of Attorney-Client Privilege was a cause of apprehension in the initial years of legal outsourcing; as law accepts Attorney-Client confidentiality and exempts disclosure even in the Court of law, it was thought to breach the agreement on disclosure to a third party. Conversely various US based Bar Associations have maintained the creditability in outsourcing making the system ethical.

Many legal firms alarm of facing competition from the companies once they have access to the database of its clients. But these firms do not eye the market, they rather prefer to clench to their market of supporting the legal firms abroad. Their business infrastructure is persisted to suit the way.

Another baseless fear in the industry is about the loss of jobs. The panic could be well compared to the situation in the beginning of industrial revolution, the employment of automated machines, computers. It was well seen that such adventures lead to more jobs through methodical work. Offshoring helps legal firms to concentrate on core job increasing their efficiency and business thereby creating more employment.

Looking towards the realities over the myths of legal offshoring, it is a very important process every legal firm has to adopt to keep itself at the top of the market, sustaining themselves in the changing legal business models.