header-logo header-logo

Outsmarting technology

15 December 2011 / Andrew Pike
Issue: 7494 / Categories: Features , Profession , Technology
printer mail-detail

Andrew Pike monitors the risks associated with e-discovery

E-discovery. Sounds as though it could be something to do with food additives but in practice it’s a subject which is currently attracting a lot of attention in business circles. E-discovery (short for electronic discovery) essentially refers to the process of recovering e-mail, SMS and other electronic forms of information when it is required for litigation or other commercial purposes.

New risk

More and more employees now have a smart phone or even a tablet computer supplied by their employer which allows flexible working like never before. New technology, of course, brings with it new risks and smartphones and other similar devices are no exception. Businesses are increasingly required to preserve and collect data from an employee’s mobile device for litigation or as part of an investigation.

The dangers of electronic technology first came to the fore in the UK in 1997 when certain employees of Norwich Union falsely suggested in e-mail correspondence that Western Provident Association was insolvent. This resulted in a High Court

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll