Brearley Law Puts the Protection of Client Data First with Mailock

According to the most recent ICO statistics, the legal industry accounted for 8% of all reported data incidents last year.

Brearley Law is a three-solicitor firm in Yorkshire handling conveyancing, litigation, costs work, and wills and probate.

For a small legal practice sending and receiving sensitive client information by email, finding secure communication that clients would actually use mattered as much as the protection itself.

In October 2019, the firm adopted Mailock and has since made secure email part of everyday client work - from bank details and statements to confidential documents sent back by clients.

Who Are They?

Brearley Law is an established legal firm based in Yorkshire. A three-solicitor team, they provide services in conveyancing, litigation, costs work, and wills and probate.

With 45 years of combined legal experience, the firm focuses on delivering a personal, efficient, and stress-free experience for every client.

The Challenge

Client Data and Email Risk in Legal Work

In the years following the introduction of GDPR, Brearley Law observed a rapid shift in how firms were handling cybersecurity.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital change across the legal industry, bringing new risks to the forefront for firms that were already exchanging more information electronically.

Finding Secure Email at the Right Scale

Brearley Law knew they needed to better protect client data and support compliance expectations by securing their communications.

However, some of the options they reviewed came with a hefty price tag for a firm of their size.

Financial services professional emailing on her laptop

That combination of client-data risk and cost pressure shaped what Brearley Law needed from a secure email route.

The Solution

Mailock at a Price Point That Fit the Firm

In October 2019, they chose Mailock, the secure email solution from Beyond Encryption. It offered all the functionality they needed - at a price point that made sense for their size and client base.

"The cheap and effective use of encrypted emails was something we had to take on board."

Peter Brearley, Consultant Solicitor, Brearley Law

Secure email then had to work for both outbound client communication and the documents clients sent back.

The Outcome

Secure Sends Became Part of Everyday Firm Work

Since adopting Mailock, Brearley Law has integrated it into their daily operations to secure communications with clients and colleagues alike.

They regularly use Mailock to send sensitive documents such as bank details and statements, helping clients feel confident that the information they receive is legitimate and protected.

"Many clients use it because they don’t want to send bank statements and other confidential information by any other means. I will email them using Mailock and invite them to register for free, so that they can, at no cost to themselves, send me those sensitive documents."

Peter Brearley, Consultant Solicitor, Brearley Law

That two-way use has become a regular part of how the firm handles sensitive client information.

financial adviser speaking with couple

Peter describes Mailock as straightforward enough for less tech-savvy clients and a practical part of how the firm works day to day.

It fits into their existing email workflow through Outlook, and clients use it when they need a secure route for sending confidential information back to the firm.

Could This Work In Your Organisation?

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In Peter's experience, Mailock has become a mainstay of the business without adding unnecessary complexity for staff or clients.

Ease of use - Particularly valuable for less tech-savvy users.
Outlook - Works with the firm's existing email workflow.
Client uptake - Clients use Mailock when they need to send bank statements and other confidential information back.
Day-to-day use - Peter reports he has not encountered problems using Mailock in client work.

That day-to-day pattern is reflected in Peter's own assessment of the service.

"Mailock is economical, efficient and totally free of any stress or difficulties. I have not encountered any problems using it and it works well with clients."

Peter Brearley, Consultant Solicitor, Brearley Law

The same practical requirements come up for other small legal firms handling conveyancing and probate work.

"For a small legal firm handling conveyancing and probate work, secure email needs to stay practical for clients sending bank statements and identity documents back. Mailock fits that workflow because it keeps the exchange inside email while adding protected access."

Adam Byford, COO, Beyond Encryption (Mailock)

For small legal firms exchanging sensitive client documents by email, Peter's experience shows how secure sends can stay part of everyday firm work.