As part of 1KBW’s continuing commitment to overcome the challenges presented by the current situation 1KBW has fully implemented a stellar video-conferencing and remote hearing facility. We can confirm that it is fully operational both for court and private hearings.
Joining a remote court hearing, conference or private FDR, whether as a lawyer or as a Judge, is very simple: You simply ‘click on a link’. There is no need to subscribe to any software or download any ‘app’. We simply email a link to participants, and with one click each participant can join the video conference or hearing.
Crucially, the Lifesize system can be very easily accessed by the professional judiciary, as it can be accessed directly using ‘Skype for Business’. Again, all the judge has to do is click on a link that will be emailed to him/her in advance of the hearing.
The system is also capable of integration directly with the other commercial offerings (e.g. Teams and Zoom).
Our “Lifesize” system can simultaneously host up to 50 virtual hearings / conferences with up to 25 people remotely joining each of them. This capability can be expanded if demand requires it. We are of course able to set up as many separate (and private) ‘breakout’ rooms as may be required.
As participants simply click on a link to join the hearing/conference, the system does not require any special software beyond simple access to the internet, a camera and a microphone (which are built into every smartphone and iPad/tablet, as well as most laptops and PCs).
Many of the leading family law chambers are now using the ‘Lifesize’ system (or other similar platforms) for their remote conferences and formal hearings, all with the same features.
All hearings dealt with through our system are fully recordable if required (or in the case of court hearings, permitted), and electronic files of recording are available immediately.
Several hearings, both private and court based, have now been successfully conducted on the Lifesize platform and we are pleased to report that it has worked very well indeed
A majority of members of chambers at 1KBW were already working electronically and so already have considerable experience in working with e-bundles. If you require any assistance in producing such bundles please do not hesitate in contacting the clerking team.
All staff are now working remotely from home whilst chambers is closed but can be contacted in the usual way during our operating hours 08:30 – 18:30 Monday to Friday.
1KBW is therefore able to meet any remote working and hearing challenge. We have the best technology available and are working very hard to ensure that our work, both in and out of court, can continue as smoothly as possible. If required, we can set up and host a remote hearing or conference in a matter of minutes.