Communication Guide 06
Solicitors

Deliver important legal documents clients can always find

A practical guide to choosing the right approach for client communications, from everyday matter updates and secure interaction to important legal documents clients may need to keep for years.

A complete approach to client documents

Different documents do different jobs

Case management systems, email and messaging, client portals and Documentd each serve a different purpose. The right choice depends on the job: managing the matter, communicating with the client, providing secure access and interaction, or permanently delivering an important document the client should retain. Using each in the right way creates a better client experience and reduces avoidable requests for historic documents.

01
Case management Manage the matter

Manage matters, client information, workflows and legal documents.

02
Email & messaging Communicate

Updates, reminders, requests and everyday client communications.

Four complementary roles The right tool for the right job
Better experience · fewer support queries
04
Documentd Deliver, keep & find

Deliver permanent, client-owned copies that remain private, accessible and easy to find.

03
Client portal Access & interact

Secure access to active matters, documents, messages and client actions.

No single channel is right for every client communication. Email works well for transient messages, client portals for active matters and interaction, and Documentd for important documents that ought to become permanent, client-owned records.

Legal services in practice

Choose the right approach for each communication

Client portals are the right place for active matters, secure interaction and documents that form part of an ongoing workflow. Email and messaging handle updates, reminders and requests. Documentd is designed for important point-in-time documents clients should retain after the immediate matter or transaction has passed. Using each appropriately improves the client experience and reduces avoidable requests for replacement or historic documents.

Email & messaging

Communicate

Best for everyday updates, reminders and prompts to take action.

  • Appointment reminders
  • Progress updates
  • Requests for information
  • Meeting follow-ups
  • Portal notifications

Client portal

Access & interact

The right place for secure interaction while a matter is active.

  • Matter status
  • Secure messages
  • Document review
  • Approvals and actions
  • Active matter files
Where Documentd fits

Client portals support the matter. Documentd gives important legal documents a permanent home with the client.

Client portals are excellent for secure communication, document review, approvals and access while a legal matter is active. Email and messaging are efficient for updates, reminders and requests. Important completed documents have a different job: clients may need them long after the matter has closed, sometimes many years later.

Documentd is designed for those documents. It delivers a permanent, client-owned copy into the client's own private document home, independent of continued access to the firm's portal and easy to find again whenever it is needed. Where an original physical document must itself be retained or delivered, Documentd can complement that process by providing the client with an accessible digital copy rather than replacing the original.

01

Case management manages matters, workflows, client information and legal documents.

02

Email & messaging communicate updates, reminders and other short-lived information.

03

Client portals provide secure access and interaction while the matter is active.

04

Documentd delivers permanent, client-owned copies of important completed documents.