Hannays Solicitors and Advocates is a well-established law firm that delivers legal services across the South Tyneside region and beyond. With a strong focus on compliance and client care, the firm needed a reliable, future-proof solution to manage its operations efficiently and securely. In 2009, Hannays chose Osprey Approach as its practice and case management software provider, and the partnership has flourished ever since.
Prioritising secure cloud infrastructure
When reviewing its software options, Hannays identified two key considerations: compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules and the security of client data.
At the time, the firm was keen to avoid reliance on on-premise servers for storing sensitive information, as practice administrator Margarita Rainford explains:
“One of the reasons that we chose Osprey was that it was an early adopter of cloud technology, which we felt enhanced the security of our data.
“This was far better for us than keeping all our client data on a local server in our office that may be vulnerable. We felt, and are still reassured, that safety and security is at the heart of Osprey. We know our data is securely backed up.”
The move to cloud-based software formed part of a broader effort to ensure business continuity, data protection and long-term operational resilience.
Financial accuracy and SRA compliance
Hannays uses Osprey’s functionality across client management, document production and time recording. However, its accounts capability has remained particularly significant for the firm.
Rainford says:
“Osprey has consistently provided software to us that allows us to produce 100 per cent accurate accounts. At the end of every month everything balances and the reports produced are clear and easy to understand.
“This is very important for compliance and we have, since starting to use Osprey, consistently passed our SRA accounts audit without any compliance issues. Our external accountant always comments that the firms she looks after, which use Osprey, are the easiest firms to audit.”
For firms operating under ongoing regulatory scrutiny, consistent reconciliation and clear reporting remain central to risk management and audit preparedness.
Ongoing development and system evolution
Over the course of the partnership, Hannays has seen continued development of Osprey’s platform; the new era of Osprey was launched recently, offering additional integrations and enhancements to onboarding and case management workspace tools.
Osprey is committed to continuous improvement and has a comprehensive roadmap shaped by its clients. Rainford comments that you can submit ideas or requests to Osprey as it is “always receptive to new ideas or requests.” This openness to collaboration ensures that Hannays benefits from a system that evolves with the needs of modern law firms.
Support and service continuity
Alongside system functionality, Rainford says that Hannays values a responsive support service:
“Osprey support is excellent: [it has] a system for following up on support requests so that no query is left unresolved.
“The Osprey staff are genuinely interested and invested in the product as well as being lovely people. I would ten out of ten recommend Osprey to other law firms.”
For Hannays, partnering with Osprey Approach has delivered peace of mind, operational efficiency and compliance confidence for a period approaching two decades. By leveraging Osprey’s cloud-based platform, Hannays continues to operate securely and effectively, knowing that its technology partner is as invested in its success as the firm itself.
Osprey Approach provides an all-in-one, legal accounting, practice, and case management software solution to SME law firms. With over 30 years’ experience in the legal software sector, our software solution and dedicated partnership helps make running a law firm easier.
This article was submitted by Osprey Approach as part of an advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
