Birmingham solicitors are taking the lead in closing a widespread information security weak point.

Birmingham Law Society is testing a plug-in device that encrypts emails between firms and clients.

'Email is fundamental to our duty of client confidentiality and we wish to encourage best practice in this area,' Paul Farrow, Birmingham Law Society's chief executive, said.

Although the Law Society nationally recommends encrypting client communications, fewer than one in ten firms do so, according to Neil Lovell, director of specialist IT firm Securecoms, which is supplying the technology for the trial.

The system consists of a plug-in box that fits between the firm's computers and the internet, and encrypts emails to all recipients suitably equipped. Private keys are distributed on USB plugs.

The society is offering the encryption product for a free trial period; if successful it will be offered to the 300 Birmingham members for around £10 per user per month.

A Law Society spokesman said: 'We recognise the increasing importance of secure communications and will watch the outcome of the trial with interest'.

Michael Cross