B&L Associates

eDiscovery gaining traction in Asia

August 16, 2011

Several of Singapore's most prominent legislative bodies and legal associations have joined forces in an attempt to promote the use of digital tools in the nation's legal sector. The value of eDiscovery was underscored as officials noted the technology's ability to improve attorney productivity and reduce legal costs.

According to Legal Business Online, the eDiscovery  initiative is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The legal sector is hoping to embrace Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) and enhanced skills training. Officials expect the technology to optimize the document review process by bringing eDiscovery to a wider audience.

Singapore is hoping to bolster its reputation as a regional hub of litigation resolution and document review.

"Our lawyers and paralegals must have the technical tools and skills to handle cross-border disputes involving large volumes of documents in a cost-efficient manner," Singapore Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong told Channel News Asia.

The initiative will begin within the next twelve months and will initially involve law firms across the country. The program is expected to launch nationwide by mid-2013.