Cork-based legal software provider, PracticeEvolve Group, has announced the acquisition of UK-based Solicitors Own Software (SOS), which delivers practice and case-management software and services to law firms across Britain.

SOS has 17,000 users across Britain, and managing director Graham Colbourne said the deal would allow the business to continue to scale up.

Mid-tier firms

PracticeEvolve provides mid-tier law firms with ‘cloud’ file storage and has a global user base of over 16,000.

The firm was started by Cork-based David Boland in 2003, to provide technology to law firms and expanded into Australia in 2009.

In 2018, PracticeEvolve began operations in Britain, acquiring a provider called Linetime, and signing up a number of mid-tier law firms to their software, including Setfords and Lanyon Bowdler.

Graham Colbourne (SOS) said that the market dynamics were changing: “Cloud solutions, support, service, usability and simple-payment models are being demanded by clients, ushering in a new era of technology.

“With PracticeEvolve having a clear pathway to the cloud, exceptional success in Australia and the UK, and a committed focus in service and support, it is clearly a winning combination for us, but more importantly, our client base.

“We are delighted to now be part of the PracticeEvolve group who are simply delivering what the market is demanding,” the SOS managing director said.

Client base

Global chief executive David Boland said: “Acquiring SOS, with their well-known brand and strong client base, is a signal to the market. Both PracticeEvolve and SOS recognise [that] firms are rightly demanding more from their legal tech providers. We must dedicate ourselves to constantly innovating and evolving solutions for the future.

“I appreciate this is a bold claim but, in our opinion, the market has been stymied by legal-tech providers reducing investment, lacking ambition, and offering minimal service and support,” Boland concluded.