No January Blues for Eclipse Legal Systems

Eclipse announces 14 new contract wins & gains Investors in People status

The UK's largest independently owned legal IT provider, Eclipse, has announced a bumper 'new business' month for January 2014. The same period has also seen Eclipse win Investors in People accreditation.

A total of 14 organisations invested in Eclipse's Proclaim Case, Matter, Process and Practice Management solutions in the month of January.  The organisations range from established high-street practices through to boutique new startups and commercial operations.  Among the wins were:

• Specialist consulting law firm, Citadel Law - utilising a hosted Proclaim Case Management Solution.
• With major supermarkets and international organisations as clients, Debt Collection Services UK - installing a Proclaim Debt Recovery Solution.
• Award winning Medical Reporters, Photofile Ltd - taking a hosted Proclaim Medico Legal Software Solution.
• Nationwide personal injury specialists, Garvins Solicitors - implementing a Proclaim Personal Injury Case Management Solution firm -wide complete with direct integration to the Ministry of Justice’s Claims Portals.

Craig Budsworth, Partner at Garvins and also Chairman of MASS (Motor Accident Solicitors Society) comments:

“Having the right case management software means that we will be able to extend our service level, and the whole customer experience, ahead of our already very high standards. This is imperative if firms are to thrive in the new legal landscape.”

Wonderful testimonial from Nigel Beck of Eclipse client, Pudsey Legal

“I have personally been working with Eclipse for over 10 years as an end user. My experience of the Proclaim system meant that, when we set up our own practice in 2003, they were the only choice for us when selecting our case management system.

Throughout this time, we have enjoyed a close working relationship with them and have found the Eclipse team, from top to bottom, knowledgeable, eager to help and easy to get along with.

In my opinion, they deliver what is expected and more. The Proclaim system is a great example of the way Eclipse do not rest on their laurels. This system has been constantly developed and upgraded over the years to enhance end user utilisation. Our involvement with them has always resulted in projects (including bespoke to us) being delivered to budget, on time and of exceptional quality.

Whilst their in-depth training has allowed us to deal with many technical issues in-house, an area where I feel they excel is their commitment to support. All technicians we deal with have an in-depth knowledge of the system and are always willing to answer questions and provide assistance on even the most mundane of issues which can occur from time to time.

As for what they ‘do not do well,’ we have not had an issue where I could give any negative opinion. Indeed, our treatment is at the same level now as it was over 10 years ago - testament that they give the same service to both new and old clients alike.

The software has been invaluable to us in the way we work ie. with little admin support. We required a case management system which could be used easily by our lawyers allowing them to be both productive and profitable and Proclaim has delivered this. The system can be as rigid or flexible as the user requires. In our early days we used it ‘straight out of the box.’ However, as time has gone on, due to its flexibility and ease of use we have been able to tailor it to the bespoke needs of our practice.

I would most certainly use Eclipse in the future if required and have no hesitation in recommending both the company and the products.”

Eclipse fundraising generates £9,600 for charity

Eclipse raffle raises much needed funds for four local causes

Staff at Yorkshire-based Eclipse Legal Systems, the UK’s largest independently owned legal software developer, successfully organised and participated in a raffle event raising thousands of pounds for their four nominated charities.

• The Toy Library at St Lukes Hospital in Bradford, which operates a free loan service of specialist toys and play equipment to children with special needs.
• Bradford Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, which provides emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis.
• The Bradford Soup Run, which offers food, clothing, blankets and encouragement to the homeless.
• Pulse Radio Secret Santa Appeal, which sends presents to less fortunate children on Christmas day in the West Yorkshire region.

Raffle tickets were purchased by Eclipse staff for the chance to win a host of prizes donated by Eclipse, ranging from an iPad and a Kindle to extra holiday allowance. The total raised through ticket sales was £9,600, split between the four charities.

Steve Ough (pictured), Chief Software Architect at Eclipse Legal Systems, comments:

“We were keen to build on the money we had already raised through our sporting challenges in 2013, by organising a fundraising event to support some lesser known - but very deserving -  causes in our local area. A huge thank you to everyone who took part - the £9,600 raised will make a massive difference to all who rely upon the valuable support our chosen charities provide.”

Proclaim connector for dotMailer now available

Eclipse Legal Systems announces new integrated email marketing solution

Eclipse Legal Systems, the legal sector's largest independent software solutions provider, has announced the release of an email marketing solution utilising dotMailer.

dotMailer is one of the UK's leading email marketing and automation tools, providing a browser-based interface that enables law firms to create and distribute HTML content.  Eclipse’s new dotMailer connector enables users of the firm's Proclaim Case and Practice Management solutions to broadcast rich content to their clients and prospects.

Using the connector, contact data held within the Proclaim solution can be shared with the dotMailer system, enabling the creation of personalised target lists.  This data can be utilised to create intelligent content within, for example, a dotMailer created newsletter template, and the results of marketing campaigns can be shared back in to the Proclaim client / prospect management system.

The new connector utilises Web Services communications to share data in real-time between Proclaim and dotMailer.

Eclipse's Marketing Director, Darren Gower (pictured), comments on the development:

"This latest development opens up another layer of CRM functionality for Proclaim users.  By sharing data seamlessly between the systems, we are unifying a law firm's communications efforts within one integrated desktop solution.

"A huge amount of relevant, valuable client and prospect data is held within Proclaim - so it makes sense to utilise this for marketing purposes rather than having to rely on a separate system and data store to maintain marketing communications."

Garvins Solicitors LLP chooses Proclaim

Personal Injury specialist to implement Proclaim Case Management firm-wide.

Ambitious injury claim litigation practice, Garvins Solicitors LLP, is implementing the Proclaim Case Management Software solution from Eclipse Legal Systems.

The Manchester-based practice specialises in road traffic and injury claim litigation, providing assistance and medical rehabilitation for clients involved in non-fault accidents.  Garvins is experiencing an increase in new injury claim cases and has ambitious expansion plans to take advantage of the changing face of the personal injury marketplace.

Garvins is taking the Proclaim Personal Injury Case Management solution across the entire practice.  Users will also have instant desktop access to Proclaim's A2A (Application-to-Application) tools for processing Portal claims for both RTA (Road Traffic Accident) and EL / PL (Employer Liability / Public Liability).

In addition, Garvins is also implementing the Proclaim Lite solution for staff members whose requirements are focused more around time recording and data storage, rather than process management and document creation.

Craig Budsworth, Partner at Garvins and also Chairman of MASS (Motor Accident Solicitors Society) comments:

"Recent legislative changes have restructured the personal injury industry, and in some cases made access to legal assistance more complex for claimants.  It has therefore never been more important for solicitors to make the process as transparent, available, and caring as possible.

"Having the right case management software means that we will be able to extend our service level, and the whole customer experience, ahead of our already very high standards.  This is imperative if firms are to thrive in the new legal landscape."

New Year, a new you?

A new year often represents that all important time to turn over a new leaf. Charlotte Parkinson of Modern Law spoke to Dolores Evelyn (pictured), Sales Director at Eclipse Legal Systems, about why that ‘leaf-turning’ may need to happen more quickly than you think in 2014.

2013 was a year full of memorable moments; from riding out the completely unpredictable weather to Andy Murray winning Wimbledon and even welcoming a Royal baby, there were certainly some great highs in 2013.

For many law firms however, 2013 was a year that would happily be forgotten; without a doubt the year was overshadowed by the fallout of the extensive reforms to civil litigation. Although the reforms were not implemented until April, much of the talk pre-April revolved around the ‘what-ifs’ and the talk post-April was dominated by the ‘what now’s’. The changes implemented in April sparked transformation within the legal sector and were followed by talks of further cuts to legal aid and by whispers of continued reform to come in the New Year.

Now the New Year is well and truly upon us, the time has come for many firms to consider their options and take stock for 2014. As with the rest of the legal sector, the pace of technological advance and opportunity is far from slowing down. Whether you are stuck between in-housing or outsourcing your facilities-management, want to make the leap and finally go ‘paperless’, or are torn between the balance of working remotely or in the office, there are systems out there which can help. In light of legislative change, investment into IT and the infrastructure of your firm has never been so important, the extensive consolidation (particularly within the Personal Injury sector) means that there is now opportunity for those firms who are left to become stronger, better equipped and more cost effective, by exploring and utilising new areas of technology which may have previously been undiscovered.

If you are still undecided about which systems and processes are best for your firm, remember that swift decision making will be the key to differentiate your service from your competitors and keep up with market development in the New Year. Start the year by exploring new ways of providing faster and easier services for your clients, whilst ensuring service remains at the forefront of your firm’s vision. 2014 should be the year you make the change, do it, before someone else does.

Dolores Evelyn of Eclipse Legal Systems, comments:


"It has never been more important to differentiate your services from the competition - and doing so does not necessarily have to be a complicated or mammoth task.  'Action' is the watchword - set plans in motion and make the move towards providing a slicker and more personal service for your clients.  If you don’t act fast, you can guarantee that the 'firm down the road' will…"

Eclipse to sponsor 2014 Manchester Legal Awards

Eclipse Legal Systems is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the Manchester Legal Awards 2014.

Taking place in Manchester on 6th March, the Manchester Law Society backed event will attract 600 guests from a hue range of law firms and legal services organisations.

Eclipse is sponsoring two awards categories on the evening:

• Associate of the Year
• Pro Bono / Community Initiative of the Year

Good luck to all nominated firms and individuals!

www.themanchesterlegalawards.co.uk