With the ongoing spread of COVID-19, we would like to take this opportunity to inform all of our customers, both current and new, of the steps we are taking to protect our staff and customers. We would also like to highlight some of the unique ways in which we work that will ensure the continuous delivery of legal service.
Our staff
We have already taken many proactive steps to protect all our staff.
Full assessments have been undertaken, and any higher risk members of staff are now working from home, even those without symptoms.
Ongoing wellbeing assessments will be undertaken, particularly for people working remotely.
All remaining office staff temperatures are being taken before entering our offices, and anyone with a temperature will be immediately sent home and asked to self-isolate.
Our offices are constantly being cleaned and sanitised, staff are using recyclable disposable cups and cutlery, and all client-facing meetings have been cancelled.
In the event that our offices have to close, the remaining office staff will be able to continue working from home, and we have the technology and equipment in place that will allow this to happen. This includes the ability for our secretaries to type important documents and our accounts department to send client funds.
To reduce the flow of incoming and outgoing mail wherever possible communication is being sent via email.
Our Lawyers
One of the unique features of Setfords is that all of our 230 lawyers already work from the comfort and safety of their own home and have done for over a decade.
Not only do they work from home, but they have complete flexibility to work at times that suit them and their clients. Many are able to fit work around family commitments and do not have to take time off work for tasks like caring for elderly relatives. Importantly we will not expect them to take time off to care for their children if the schools are closed. They will be able to fit this in around the legal work they need to undertake.
We are incredibly experienced in working in a remote, agile and flexible way. Our technology platform, systems and processes mean we expect to be able to continue offering high-quality legal service with limited interruption.
Our Clients
All client-facing meetings have been cancelled and replaced with a conference call facility that allows our lawyers to screen share and take clients through important documents online rather than in person. We have access to an electronic signature service which clients can use to sign and return documents in the event of a problem arising with Royal Mail.
Things are changing on a daily basis, but we hope that the above will reassure you that we are doing all we can to keep everyone safe and whatever transpires over the coming weeks we will work night and day to ensure legal service continues at Setfords.
