Unbeknownst to many professionals outside the legal sector, legal courier services are among the most outsourced tasks in the legal field. According to estimates from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 5,550 legal couriers operating in the US alone, making them an elite group that constitutes only 0.48% of the couriers and messengers industry. But what exactly does a legal courier do, and why should you consider hiring one?
What Is a Legal Courier?
Legal documents like passports, court papers, legal tenders, and contracts are often too sensitive to leave in the wrong hands. A legal courier is a company that partners with law firms and other legal professionals to pick up and deliver their sensitive documents to the right recipients.
What distinguishes legal couriers from regular delivery services is their relatively exclusive clientele and the sensitivity of the packages they deliver. Also, since time is of the essence when handling legal documents, many legal professionals prefer legal couriers to postal services or regular couriers.
Why Should You Hire a Legal Courier?
Timesaving
Saving precious time is one of the biggest motives for outsourcing any task, and hiring legal courier services is no exception. When you shift the responsibility of picking and delivering legal documents to a third party, you immediately create more time to focus on your legal practice’s core business. Outsourcing to a legal courier also takes so much weight off your shoulders.
Money-Saving
Working with a legal courier can significantly reduce your operating expenses. By paying a flat fee to your courier of choice, you no longer have to worry about vehicle expenses or hiring new employees and covering their wages. Also, with all the time they save you, you get to channel all your efforts to billable work.
Reduced Liability
Legal couriers are generally safer and a lot more reliable than postal services. From small packages to lengthy court documents, legal couriers will deliver your packages quickly (even on holidays) and without much risk of getting lost or compromising your confidentiality along the way.
Reliability
Legal courier services epitomize the phrase “time is money.” Reputable legal couriers offer rush delivery services for clients who may need to deliver packages the same day they were collected at a premium fee. Most legal couriers also operate 24/7, further adding to their reliability.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A Legal Courier?
Experience
Since legal documents require utmost confidentiality, always choose a courier service with years of specialized experience in legal deliveries. Choosing the most experienced courier service that specializes in legal deliveries could save you from a lot of inconveniences and minimize your liabilities in the future.
Package Tracking
If you find yourself torn between two prospective legal couriers, opt for the one that offers package tracking. Parcel tracking makes it possible to view your consignment’s status in real-time, from booking to collection and delivery. Legal couriers that offer trackable service are typically transparent and care about their clients’ peace of mind.
Referrals and Online Reviews
It helps to ask for referrals from trusted colleagues when shopping around for a reliable courier service. Ask your fellow legal professionals about the courier services they use, compile a list, and choose the best. However, if, for whatever reason, you do not have any trustworthy referrers, search for positive online reviews for courier services on independent review sites.
Get in Touch with a Legal Courier Today
Legal package deliveries are very time-critical and confidential in nature. When choosing a legal courier service, look for the most reputable and experienced logistics partner your business can afford.