Friday, 23 May 2025
Legal firms rely on a core set of systems—Intapp, iManage, Litera, Aderant, Elite 3E—to support daily operations. These tools are vital for fee earners who need fast, reliable access to information, layered on top of essentials like Office 365, Outlook, and standard templates.
Maintaining this environment is complex. Applications are often highly customised, integrated, and constantly evolving. Even minor changes carry risk, and manual testing can’t keep up—leading to costly disruptions when things break.
Key Challenges for Legal Firms
Legal systems are heavily tailored and interconnected. A small change in one app can ripple across workflows—from Office to DMS to practice management. Manual testing is slow and error-prone, especially with repeated regression cycles. Many tools don’t support the mix of web and desktop apps firms rely on.
Firms often lack QA specialists with automation expertise. Even good tools go underused. And with tight timelines, regression testing is often deprioritised—leaving risk unchecked. While modern tools are more user-friendly, selecting the right one remains key.
Why Test Automation Matters
Automation allows faster repeatable testing across systems. But selecting the right tool is tough. Many only handle web testing or require deep technical skills. Others are powerful but hard to scale. AI-enhanced tools show promise, but few are designed with legal workflows in mind.
Prolifics brings deep legal tech experience, helping firms target high-value use cases and choose tools—open-source or enterprise—that fit long-term goals.
Our Approach to Tool Selection
We start by understanding the systems, integrations, and current testing approach. Then we identify where automation will bring the most value—focusing first on one or two representative applications.
Depending on the need, we may recommend open-source tools like Playwright for web automation, or enterprise platforms that support web, desktop, and API layers. We work with partners like Tricentis, OpenText, and SmartBear, helping firms quickly evaluate, test, and navigate governance processes.
Open Source vs Enterprise
Open-source tools are flexible and free but often lack desktop automation and require coding skills. Enterprise platforms cover the full stack, with low-code interfaces and robust features—making them ideal for long-term value and broader adoption. We help firms weigh the trade-offs clearly and objectively.
Proof of Concept: Real-World Validation
We believe in real-world evaluation. Our PoCs automate key legal workflows using shortlisted tools, testing them in the firm’s own environment. This shows how each tool performs, integrates, and supports future scaling.
We provide a side-by-side matrix of findings—covering ease of use, compatibility, maintenance, and AI features—giving stakeholders a clear, data-driven basis for decisions.
Deliverables
Our final output includes a structured comparison, clear recommendations, and guidance for rollout and adoption. We also support clients with implementation, automation strategy, and scaling automation across the estate.
Test automation is now essential in legal IT—key to handling change, reducing risk, and ensuring stability. But success starts with the right tool.
Prolifics combines legal sector insight with practical automation expertise. We bring clarity to tool selection—so your firm can move forward with speed, confidence, and control.
Get in touch with us to know more about our experience in the legal sector or if you would like to discuss about any specific requirements that you might have.
Jonathan Binks - Head of Delivery
Prolifics Testing UK
