A UK law firm has launched a 'virtual office' to offer interactive online training to its employees.

Second Life is an online 3D virtual world, created entirely by its residents. It houses a growing number of businesses worldwide. Now law firm Simpson Millar will be holding training sessions for its employees – based in seven offices throughout the UK – within its virtual office in Second Life.

Craig Jones, operations director at Simpson Millar, said that Second Life had the potential to do almost everything that is currently done in the real world.

"We are currently planning our first seminars and training sessions for our employees, due to take place in a seminar room in our virtual office. The savings in terms of impact on the environment, time and travel expenses are immense."

Jones added that these training sessions are much more interactive than many of the current programmes on offer. "Unlike watching a training video, at these seminars staff will be 'sitting' in a virtual room full of other people. It makes it feel much more like a normal seminar and the participants will hopefully be more motivated to interact and contribute."

Employees will be able to ask questions either through their PC microphone or type questions, which the presenter can then answer verbally for all participants to hear.

Rachel Windle, Simpson Millar's practice manager and head of HR, said that this move has huge potential for all employees. "The decision to set up an office in Second Life is a direct reflection of our core business values – to be a truly modern and forward thinking law firm for both our clients and employees.

"Our presence in Second Life is a way of expanding the training and educational opportunities currently available to our employees, making it even more accessible for everyone to develop their skills and progress internally."