10th December 2025
6 min read
Modernising Now, Not Later
Why Legal Teams Are Preparing for Cloud in 2026
Stephen Wanless
CCO
Chris Kimmins
Client Account & Business Development Manager
As the year draws to a close, many legal teams are reviewing their systems, risks and working practices. In a time of budget planning and strategic decisions, one question is coming up more often: “What do we need in place for 2026?”
For many organisations, the answer involves modern, cloud-based case management. Not because change is urgent, but because planning ahead gives legal teams clarity, stability and room to shape how they want to work.
This December, we’re focusing on one message: modernising isn’t about rushing, it’s about readiness.
Why More Legal Teams Are Planning for Cloud
Legal work today demands tools that support hybrid working, offer reliable access, and help teams manage rising caseloads without unnecessary admin. On-Premise systems often struggle to keep pace, and manual processes make it harder to work consistently and securely.
Cloud case management changes that. It offers browser-based access, simple collaboration, and a structure that keeps matters, documents, diary items and time recording all in one place. It supports the way fee earners work now: flexible, mobile, and increasingly focused on productivity and risk reduction.
“Iken Cloud is scalable. It’s browser-based technology, hosted here in the UK… and allows our customers to continuously benefit from instant access to our latest developments.”
Chris Kimmins
Noted in our recent Webinar
People-First Modernisation
While technology plays a part, most teams modernise for human reasons: to reduce friction in day-to-day casework, to work confidently across departments, and to give legal leaders clearer oversight.
Modern cloud systems support these goals by:
Offering reliable access from any approved device
Improving the speed and quality of case and matter work
Giving teams a more intuitive structure for documents and workflows
Enabling richer reporting and dashboards for decision-making
They also give legal services the reassurance that they’re investing in tools designed to grow with them, not hold them back.
“Now is a really exciting time to be migrating to Iken Cloud, with lots of new functionality coming online… requested by your colleagues who have already successfully made the move.”
Stephen Wanless
Noted in our recent Webinar
What Successful Teams Are Doing Now
Legal teams preparing for 2026 aren’t making quick decisions: they’re taking sensible, structured steps.
Most begin by reviewing how their current tools support their work today. That may include looking at case or matter management, document management, reporting needs or time recording. Others start with IT readiness: particularly governance, Microsoft 365 usage and SharePoint policies.
Teams also increasingly want a clear view of long-term costs. Detailed comparisons of infrastructure, storage, updates, security and IT time help build stronger business cases and avoid hidden spending. Your True Cost of Ownership guidance supports this, and has become a valuable resource during budget season.
Another growing trend is learning from peers. Recent migrations including Staffordshire, North Lincolnshire and Cardiff have shown that cloud adoption doesn’t need to be disruptive. With early preparation, a clear migration plan and collaborative change management, teams settle quickly and see immediate gains in speed, consistency and reporting.
A Clear Path to Cloud
When teams decide the move to cloud is right for them, they often want to understand the practical steps involved. A typical journey includes preparation, a test migration, a live migration, user acceptance testing, and training. This structured approach gives teams the confidence that every part of the system, from workflows to documents, has been reviewed properly.
Once the system is ready, users receive training tailored to their roles, followed by digital floorwalking sessions where they can ask questions as they get used to the new environment. This blend of guidance and support helps teams transition smoothly and start benefiting from the new tools straight away.
Wherever You’re Starting From, We’re Here to Help
December naturally encourages reflection and planning. It’s when budgets are agreed, IT roadmaps are revisited, and leadership teams set priorities for the year ahead. For many legal teams, this is the point where they take a step back and ask:
Do our current tools still meet our needs?
Are we prepared for the next two to three years?
Should we be planning for cloud sooner rather than later?
Starting these conversations now doesn’t commit you to immediate change it simply ensures you’re informed, supported and ready to make a well-timed decision.
Ready for Iken Cloud?
Whether you’re reviewing your current case management system, replacing an older tool, or exploring cloud options for the first time, we can support you with:
Cloud readiness discussions
Clear timelines
Real customer stories
Cost and risk guidance
Planning checklists
Migration FAQs
Demonstrations for your team
Modernising legal services is a journey and good planning is the strongest first step.
