Legal eagles swoop on computer forensics

Lawyers must be prepared for an increasing number of cases involving evidence in digital form

A City law firm is mugging up on computer forensics after having to deal with an increasing number of cases involving evidence in digital form.

Legal practice 23 Essex Street has called in IT forensics firm Inforenz to provide a series of presentations as part of its professional development programme.

Lynn Griffin, a barrister at 23 Essex Street, said: "I have experience in trials of successfully using the significant amount of evidence that can be derived from computer files.

"As a result of our experience within chambers we recognise the importance of not only understanding this form of evidence but of ensuring that those who provide it adhere to the highest professional standards.

"Computer forensics is now a key part of our Continuing Professional Development programme. Its importance can only grow and we are pleased to be among the first chambers to address this in our training."

David Barker, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, added: "Information in electronic form is more and more important even in civil cases.

"We find that if we are able to get hold of the other side's information in electronic form we can do complex searches that would not be possible with paper documents.

"There is also increasing interest in what is known as metadata, the underlying information about particular documents such as where and when an email was sent, how many times it was drafted and who was on the BCC list."