Are you an aspiring barrister or a legal professional looking for ways to improve your efficiency and productivity in your practice? If so, you may be surprised to learn that using spreadsheets can be an incredibly powerful tool for legal research and analysis.
Spreadsheets can help with more than just numerical data
Most people think of spreadsheets as simple tools for organising and calculating numerical data, but they can actually be much more than that. With the right set of formulas and functions, spreadsheets can help you quickly and easily analyse large amounts of legal data, identify patterns and trends, and make more informed decisions.
One of the biggest benefits of using spreadsheets for legal research and analysis is the ability to quickly sort, filter, and group data. This can save you a lot of time and effort when you’re dealing with large volumes of information, such as case law or legal precedent. You can also use spreadsheets to create pivot tables, which allow you to quickly summarise and compare data from different sources.
Automate repetitive tasks
Another advantage of using spreadsheets for legal research and analysis is the ability to automate repetitive tasks. With the use of formulas and functions, you can create spreadsheet models that automatically update and calculate data based on input values. This can save you a lot of time and effort, and allow you to focus on more important tasks.
Spreadsheets are always helpful for managing chronologies, as you can organise key dates and facts which you need to complete your work. This is very helpful for Drafting or Opinion Writing assessments on the Bar Course.
Organise data for pupillage applications
If you’re applying for pupillage, spreadsheets can help you organise your research into different chambers and stay on top of your drafts. You can review at a glance the different questions you have to answer and your progress through them. Read more about our advice for drafting pupillage applications here, and check out our pupillage application research spreadsheet.
Overall, spreadsheets have a lot to offer when to comes to managing data you find during legal research. If you’re an aspiring barrister or legal professional looking to improve your productivity and effectiveness, consider incorporating spreadsheets into your workflow.
Check out our workshop
If you want more help and advice completing your pupillage applications, check out our workshop on submitting Pupillage Applications. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and you can access the event on demand via study.blessingatthebar.com if you miss the live event.
