The prevalent belief that barristers resist change may be a generalisation, but it fails to consider the broader perspective of change within the legal profession and outsourcing. While tradition is deeply rooted in the legal profession, advancements in technology have influenced a more adaptable work environment. Many barristers are now seeking more efficient ways to collaborate and reduce their workload, leading them to explore outsourcing their transcription work.
However, embarking on the journey of delegating these tasks can be daunting and uncertain. Barristers fear the consequences of hiring the wrong individual or company, as it may jeopardise their reputation in court. This fear often pushes them to work long hours and endure high levels of stress, ultimately impacting their mental well-being. Studies have shown that reducing workloads can alleviate stress, making outsourcing transcription a sensible starting point.
Research into outsourcing transcription is a small investment of time that can greatly benefit barristers with heavy workloads. So how can transcription help Barristers in terms of productivity?
1. Helps You Increase Productivity
Why is Dictation More Efficient than Typing?
The simple fact is that we can all speak considerably faster than we can physically type, as demonstrated by these stats:
“The average person types between 38 and 40 words per minute”.
A “good rate of speech ranges between 140 -160 words per minute.”
This means that dictation is up to four times faster than we can type. Therefore, simply dictating a document is more cost-efficient, giving Barristers more time to be working on other projects and bringing in more revenue.
Documents are Produced Whilst You Concentrate on Other Work
It is crucial for barristers to recognise that dictation specialists offer quick turnaround times. Standard documents can be transcribed, checked, and returned quickly. On the other hand, a legal secretary would typically take four times the length of the sound file to type what was dictated, meaning an hour-long transcription would require four hours to transcribe. Considering the demands of a barrister’s work, this saved time could be better spent on other tasks.
2. Gives You Access to Highly Experienced Transcriptionists When You Need them
Employing qualified legal secretaries who specialise in specific legal areas ensures high levels of efficiency. Formatting, presentation, and correct document layout should be expected from a reputable dictation outsourcer. Although human errors can occur, good dictation specialists have quality assurance teams that meticulously review every document, minimising mistakes. Additionally, regional accents can pose challenges, which is why we assign dictation tasks to individuals familiar with specific accents.
Skilled legal secretaries are available at a fraction of the cost of hiring a highly trained barrister, making it a cost-effective choice. Expert dictation specialists, such as ourselves at OutSec, offer the necessary assurances such as confidentiality, security, quality. We understand the importance of precision in the legal field and have honed our expertise since our establishment in the early 2000s.
At OutSec we believe in having highly experienced legal transcriptionists who have worked in law firms or Barrister’s chambers. Indeed, we have been providing transcription services to this niche market since 2002. Our transcriptionists truly understand the importance of client confidentiality and accuracy in their work. This makes OutSec’s Legal Transcription Team, one of the best in the industry and they are available to you at the touch of a button.
3. Record Conferences for an Accurate Record
Furthermore, experienced legal secretaries excel at handling multi-voice conferences as long as the barrister provides clear instructions regarding the involved parties. It is worth noting that dictation machines are no longer necessary for interviews, as quality mobile phones and specialised apps can streamline the process. While some barristers might be resistant to change and still rely on analogue dictation machines, exploring newer methods can be enlightening. Once they witness the benefits, they may regret wasting time on outdated practices.
4. Reduces Costs
When you employ staff you must pay: monthly salaries, PAYE costs, National Insurance contributions, offer a pension scheme and pay a certain percentage of tax per employee. You also have other fixed costs such as desk space and office costs per employee, and the costs of infrastructure like computers, telephones, workspaces etc.
Unproductive Time
What most employers forget is the indirect costs of employment such as “unproductive” time. Recent research suggests that:
“In an eight hour day, the average worker is only productive for two hours 53 minutes”.
Clearly, by outsourcing your transcription needs, you eliminate any unproductive time. By using OutSec, you pay per minute of recorded dictation (rounded up to the nearest minute) which means you are not paying for any unproductive time. Therefore, you are not paying for your transcriptionist to make a cup of tea or coffee, to have or make a snack or lunch, or indeed have an office chat – all of that is eliminated!
Reduces Expensive Office Space
Obviously, by outsourcing your transcription needs, you can reduce the amount of office space you need. According to Business Matters Magazine:
According to Business Matters Magazine:
The cost of desk space in London is therefore somewhere between £7,800 to £18,000 per annum. Just on this cost alone, you could approximately have somewhere between 6,500 and 15,000 minutes of dictation typed up by OutSec instead!
Reduces HR Costs
Hiring, training and supervising your firm’s secretarial staff can require an investment of your HR Manager’s time. There are costs involved in advertising for qualified transcriptionists. By outsourcing, you never have to worry about any of these HR-related costs.
According to the National Office of Statistics, an “estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2022“. This worked out to be 5.7 working days per worker. The most common reasons for sicknesses were:
- Minor illnesses;
- Mental health conditions;
- Musculoskeletal problems.
Holiday Pay
Whilst statutory paid holiday entitlement in the UK is 28 paid holiday days, most employers in the UK give considerably more holidays to their employees.
Clearly, by outsourcing your transcription needs, you eliminate this cost to your firm.
Changes a Fixed Cost into a Flexible Cost
Many Barristers and their chambers recognise that replacing a static fixed cost with a flexible skilled outsourced provider has many positives. If your typing requirements are low, then the costs are low. This also enables upscaling support as the firm grows or in times when workloads are high. Consequently, OutSec can offer support by either acting as a complete, secure, outsourced solution. Or as an overflow, allowing your or your Chambers to keep up with the demands of your business.
5. Business Continuity Planning
In 2020, businesses around the world had their business continuity plans truly put to the test, as Covid-19 swept the globe. Whilst some businesses were forced to close their doors when lockdowns came into effect, OutSec continued to operate as normal. OutSec continued to be able to support our clients and those that needed our help, during this difficult time. As one of our clients stated:
“We are so glad that we have you as it certainly makes it less stressful not having to worry about getting typing completed. I know some firms are struggling if staff cannot get in”.
Using OutSec affords your firm a business continuity solution to enable your business to access typing support, that expands (or contracts) with your firm’s specific needs. You can also use OutSec for upscaling support as the firm grows. This eliminates the need for employing additional typing staff (or indeed, any of the employment costs or risks thereof).
Conclusion
Overall, outsourcing transcription is a logical solution for barristers looking to optimise their workload. It is a task that, once outsourced, garners appreciation for the time it saves.
About OutSec
OutSec is the UK’s leading online transcription company whose business has grown substantially since 2002. We are one of the most successful transcription companies in the United Kingdom.
OutSec provides secure outsourced transcription services to the medical, legal, property and surveying, universities, media and interviews, advisory boards, conferences & seminars, inventories, financial, corporate, HR, recruitment and Executive Search sectors.
Review
I have received an absolutely outstanding level of service from Outsec for well over 5 years.
Work is always turned around promptly; with a very high level of accuracy. Documents are always laid out in accordance with my specific formatting instructions.
They have never let me down; the level of customer service is first-rate. My account managers have always provided a prompt and very personal service.
I would highly recommend them.
Benjamin Bradley, Barrister
