Government backing for investment deal

Gordon Peters
Tuesday, 23 November 2010 23:09

IT Industry - Deals

The New South Wales Government has thrown its considerable weight and strategic business advice behind a Sydney legal services technology company to help it secure a major investment partner for the next phase of its growth.

With the help of the government, Sydney company Evidence Technology - utilising the Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) program run by Industry & Investment NSW - has secured a strategic business partnership with Melbourne-based, Lawlab Pty Limited, a legal technology firm that develops online legal process management systems.

Evidence Technology managing director, Peter Carter, said the partnership with Lawlab gives his company access to a capital asset base worth over $20 million as well as strategic access to legal technology.

"Without the NSW Government's assistance in helping us develop our business plans through the Innovation Pathways Program we would not have been in a position to raise this important investment," Carter said.

Lawlab Principal Ian Perkins said the partnership provides a 'strong regional business platform' for both companies to focus on growth in online legal services as well as Government 2.0 markets.

According to Perkins, "legal and justice practitioners are now embracing technology as a way to manage growing mountains of paper and streamline their operations.' and he added, 'not only is this helping make the legal system more efficient but it is good for the environment."

The NSW Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development, Eric Roozendaal said Evidence Technology provides technology support services to over 600 sites including courthouses, police stations, parliamentary chambers and council facilities across Australia and New Zealand.

'Evidence Technology manage the delivery of justice through technology including audio visual systems, digital recording, evidential media processing, e-litigation support tools and secure video conferencing.'

The Minister said that since 2006 the company has upgraded over 160 courtrooms and justice facilities in both countries, including the first round of a recent audio visual linkage project connecting courtrooms with correctional facilities in Auckland, New Zealand.

'Through the Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) program run by Industry & Investment NSW the NSW Government helped Evidence Technology develop a business strategy that helped them grow. This process helped them secure a strategic business partnership with Melbourne based Lawlab Pty Limited, an innovative legal technology firm that develops online legal process management systems.'

According to the Minister, in the past 12 months, Evidence Technology has secured key contracts with peak justice and law enforcement agencies including Victorian Police and Justice Departments, New Zealand Ministry of Justice, and most recently the Federal Attorney Generals Department.