Opus 2, which has been offering a semi-virtual integrated hearing and trial platform internationally, is now poised to also video capability, enabling completely virtual trials and hearings to take place seamlessly.
No doubt, the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the face of how lawyers work at least for now. Whether it will permanently probably depends on how long we are locked down. It hinges on the future willingness of lawyers and, more importantly, clients to pay for the expense and time associated with working in a non-virtual manner. Let’s face it, a lot of costs are incurred getting to and from meetings, hearings, and trials. As lawyers, we bill lots of hours waiting around courtrooms.
But for Courtroom litigation—trials and hearings–we may already be able to glimpse a possible future. Opus 2 has been providing, at least in the U.K. and internationally, a plethora of virtual resources for trials and hearings for some time. This platform enables semi-virtual participation: some litigation participants follow and participate in real-time from virtually anywhere. The resources are all cloud-based.
I recently talked to Graham Smith-Bernal, the founder and CEO of Opus 2, and Steve Fleming, its Chief Strategy Officer, about the platform. They told me that a lot of U.K. litigation and arbitrations are already conducted on a semi-virtual basis. A few key participants—the lead lawyers, the judge, and a smattering of courtroom personnel—are present in a courtroom, but most participants are present virtually. Much of the Madoff proceedings in which Opus 2 played a key role were conducted in just this fashion.
So far, the Opus 2 Hearing Manager has provided the interface for the hearing or trial, providing real-time transcription, the necessary remote connections, the court reporting services, and an edited end of the day transcript with synchronized audio.