International trends indicate a growing interest around the development and use of mobile apps to access information and enable businesses to engage more meaningfully with customers. Now increasingly recognised as one of the savviest client engagement tools around, apps offer portability, ease of access and up-to-date content that provides clients with the information and services they need at the tap of a finger.

Leading content and technology solutions provider LexisNexis South Africa is working hard to increase the penetration of apps designed specifically for the South African legal market. This sophisticated, well-informed sector demands trusted, reliable information, because relying on outdated material can result in non-compliance and hefty penalties. Having successfully pioneered a number of digital legal solutions, LexisNexis has now teamed up with prominent African law firm, Webber Wentzel to develop South Africa’s first law firm app of its kind – tailor-made specifically for Webber Wentzel clients in the Technology Media and Telecommunications (‘TMT’) space. The app was launched on 7 April 2016.

LexisNexis South Africa Commercial Director, Thabo Molefe said the main purpose behind the development of the new TMT app was to keep Webber Wentzel’s clients informed and empowered by alerting them of changes in the law.

“Webber Wentzel recognised that as a legal publisher LexisNexis has access to the legislation and case law that they required. In addition, our history of developing innovative content solutions means we have been able to bring key strengths to the table to create a technically sound, user-friendly tool for their clients,” he said.

The Webber Wentzel TMT App will enable the law firm’s clients to access vital information quickly and stay on top of the latest legal news and emerging issues, regardless of where they are or what device they are using. Another key feature is its ability to update clients with newsflashes and Twitter feeds, thereby maintaining constant communication.

The project follows similar app successes for LexisNexis, such as LexisMobile, introduced in 2014 as South Africa’s first portable digital reference tool for loose-leaf titles. The tool enables users to access their entire loose-leaf library digitally via their chosen device - iPad, Android Tablet, Windows PC or laptop. LexisMobile was subsequently named a runner-up in the MTN App of the Year Awards in the category of Best iOS App – Enterprise.

“The legal sector is a field often bogged down by the need to balance extensive research and knowledge with practical, billable work. For clients making use of legal services, the requirements are slightly different, but everybody wants fast, accurate information that enables them to achieve better outcomes and stay on the right side of the law. We are well placed to help them achieve that – and we have the in-house technical capability and can draw on our global technological expertise to create bespoke legal solutions such as this,” said Molefe.

The Webber Wentzel TMT App is available for free download via the Apple App Store or Google Play store. It features relevant legislation, case law and content supplied by Webber Wentzel, including articles, presentations, seminar notes and case summaries. In addition to providing useful links to websites and documents, it also enables users to ‘Ask a Question’ – a feature that will generate an automatic email to an expert in that practice area.  Users may also contact Webber Wentzel experts via the app.

Other key features of the design include the ability to access content offline. “This was an important feature as connectivity issues are often a challenge in South Africa. Once the user is back online – the app may be refreshed with any updates via a prompt in the settings,” Molefe explained.

“With legislation and technology changing on a daily basis, LexisNexis will keep exploring new ways to increase efficiency and help clients achieve better outcomes and remain compliant. In that way we’re fulfilling our global purpose of upholding the rule of law,” said Molefe.

Submitted by LexisNexis