It’s no surprise that the PDF form is consistently exploited for its duplicating, compressing and navigating abilities.  For the lawyer, these qualities become essential when handling, referencing and researching case materials . Thus far, the PDF serves as the best work tool in helping to build a case.

This is seen in legal research where an important factor is content fidelity. Case documents in the PDF format guarantees the original content of a hard copy version. Regardless of how many times the document is viewed, utilized and passed around, the PDF file always retains the same layout and appearance. Thus, the benefit in this research aspect is twofold: it not only gives the lawyer integral information, but it can also c ontrol access to confidential information.

As a lawyer working with people, he or she may need to share and send a copy of the case to a co-counsel, partner, or client. When researching legal archiving websites, on-line file cases can be sent via email in the PDF format. Using the PDF format eliminates faxing, mailing and other inconveniences.

With the growing use of the PDF format, the electronic workflow system is also making its way into the courtrooms. PDFs make it possible to share legal documents on laptops while in court. For example, using, viewing and referencing the same documents in court is easier with the PDF because all parties can use and apply the ”bates numbering system”, a method used to identify legal documents, to quickly reference research material for each other. Consolidating information from different applications into one searchable PDF document is easier than using multiple word processing documents for the same task.

Moreover, lawyers can create annotate, add comments or attach supplementary material to a legal document with the attachments and comments tabs in the PDF browser.  It allows them to preserve critiques and comments when analyzing papers related to a case. Cases in PDF format can even be bookmarked, or even highlighted electronically. 

The efficient way to review, share and work with documents is simply to use the PDF format. Investintech’s Sonic PDF Creator offers the ability to implement all of the advantages of the PDF format in a legal setting quickly and easily.