How ESG demands are driving change in legal document management
Lisa Walsh, chief operating officer at Bundledocs, highlights how e-bundling software offers a direct way for law firms to streamline operations, reduce waste, improve efficiency and demonstrate measurable progress against ESG commitments — particularly as clients are increasingly focusing on firms’ ESG credentials
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) has become one of the most talked-about themes in the legal sector. It’s not just something corporate clients ask about in tenders — it’s directly shaping operational workflows, technology investment priorities, and how firms present themselves to the market.
For many firms, a practical first step is cutting down on paper. Traditional bundling has long been one of the most operationally inefficient and resource-intensive processes of legal practice, with teams printing, binding, and transporting vast volumes of documents for court and client work. E-bundling software offers a direct way to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and demonstrate measurable progress against ESG commitments.
ESG — a growing client expectation
Corporate clients are under increasing pressure to report on the environmental performance of their supply chains, which includes their legal advisers. The Law Society of England and Wales has confirmed clients are beginning to use ESG as a differentiator when selecting law firms.
A 2025 Saffery report on the UK’s top 50 law firms found that while nearly all now talk about sustainability, only around two-thirds publish responsible business or ESG reports, and fewer still have time-bound carbon-reduction targets. That gap represents both a reputational risk and an opportunity for firms willing to show leadership.
Regulation and disclosure pressures
The UK is rolling out sustainability disclosure standards (SDS) aligned to international ISSB benchmarks, with listed companies expected to report from 2026. While not every law firm will be directly caught, the cultural shift is clear: transparent, credible sustainability reporting is becoming the norm. For law firms, that means finding tangible, auditable actions to demonstrate environmental responsibility. Reducing paper through e-bundling is low-hanging fruit — measurable, practical, and client-visible.
Why e-bundling aligns with ESG
• Carbon and cost savings: Fewer print runs and couriers cut waste and emissions, while saving money on paper, toner and storage
• Court compliance: HMCTS and the Judiciary of England and Wales already provide guidance for e-bundles, and many courts now prefer or mandate them
• Efficiency gains: Automated indexing, bookmarks, and collaboration tools streamline what used to be manual, time-intensive work.
• Client reassurance: Demonstrates proactive steps on sustainability and modernisation, supporting clients’ own ESG reporting.
Avoiding the greenwashing trap
ESG claims are under scrutiny. The Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code sets strict standards for how businesses communicate environmental progress (CMA, 2024). For law firms, overclaiming on sustainability could backfire — but adopting e-bundling is a clear, auditable operational improvement with both environmental and client-facing benefits.
A practical ESG win for legal teams
Law firms don’t have to start with sweeping carbon strategies or glossy sustainability reports. By embracing e-bundling in daily operations, firms can take a practical, client-facing step that reduces paper use, improves efficiency and aligns with wider ESG expectations.
In an increasingly competitive market where clients are asking tougher questions, moving away from paper isn’t just good for the planet — it’s becoming a marker of modern, future-ready legal practice.
