Eclipse announces J-Codes compatibility

Eclipse's Proclaim solution enables lawyers to share consistent billing data

Law Society Endorsed legal software supplier, Eclipse Legal Systems, has announced new J-Code functionality in its market-leading Proclaim solution.

Following the announcement of the approved J-Codes in late 2014 by the LEDES oversight committee (LOC), Eclipse has confirmed that the J-Codes set synchronises with Proclaim’s existing costs budgeting categories as set out in the Precedent H.

Production of the Precedent H form is a standard feature of the Proclaim Case and Practice Management Software systems.  This existing costs budgeting functionality will enable lawyers to produce bills and budgets utilising the J-Codes set, even before such usage becomes mandatory.

In addition, Eclipse is currently awaiting the outcome of the consultation by LOC to reach completion regarding bill layouts and will be adding these new layouts to Proclaim’s updated Costs Drafting module.  The module is due for release imminently (Q2 2015) and will provide 'redline bill' production for costs teams.

Eclipse's Business Solutions Director, Tracy Blencowe (pictured), comments:

"Eclipse's product development ethos means that we are constantly enhancing the feature-set offered by Proclaim.  In short, if there is a marketplace challenge - or an opportunity - for our clients, then we aim to provide the appropriate tools for them to derive maximum benefit.

"This latest implementation of the J-Codes set will enable our clients to comply immediately with ongoing legislation, and to share data in a consistent and readily usable format."

Personal Injury Practice Ltd chooses Proclaim

Compensation specialist to implement the Proclaim Case Management Solution

Cheshire-based law firm, Personal Injury Practice (PIP), is implementing the Proclaim Case Management Software solution from Eclipse Legal Systems.

Established in 2003, PIP specialises in road traffic and injury claim litigation. With a renowned reputation for efficient and friendly service, the firm provides trusted legal advice nationwide. To strengthen this position, PIP is rolling out the Proclaim Case Management platform firm-wide.

Proclaim will replace PIP’s incumbent system - providing a fully integrated desktop solution ensuring a secure and consistent approach for each client.

As part of the drive to further promote superb client service, PIP is to integrate Eclipse’s FileView Interactive tool within its company website. FileView will securely display selected live Proclaim information allowing clients to access support around the clock, reducing the volume of ‘update’ calls the firm receives.

To enhance operational efficiencies, PIP is to take advantage of Proclaim’s direct A2A (Application to Application) integration with the MoJ’s Portal for RTA (Road Traffic Accidents) – significantly reducing administrative overheads, leaving more quality time for client care.

Dominic Moss, Senior Partner at Personal Injury Practice, comments:

“We’re proud to be different from the competition. Our clients are at the core of everything we do, it’s critical they know we have their best interest at heart and their case is being handled by professionals. Proclaim’s process streamlining toolkit will enable us to provide superior levels of client care. Automating previously repetitive manual tasks will permit us to spend the vital time with clients that they deserve, all without sacrificing our case throughput.”

Eclipse fundraising generates £4,000 for charity

Bradford-based Eclipse raises much needed funds for three local causes

Staff at the UK’s leading legal software provider, Eclipse Legal Systems, successfully organised and participated in a charity raffle and auction raising thousands of pounds for its nominate charities.

The firm, which recently announced its official endorsement from the Law Society, saw its staff take part in the December raffle and raise £4,000 for three local charities.

• Bradford Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, which provide emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis.
• Marie Curie Hospice, which provides specialist care for people living with a terminal illness and offers support for families.
• Hope Housing, which offers emergency accommodation at Assessment Centres and volunteer’s homes.

Eclipse donated a host of prizes for the auction including a number of high-tech gadgets. Together with additional money raised, a total of £4,000 will be split between the three chosen charities.

Darren Gower (pictured), Marketing Director at Eclipse Legal Systems, comments:

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the charity raffle and auction. It’s always a pleasure raising money for such great causes that offer help to people all over the country. The £4,000 raised will hopefully make a big difference to all who rely on the valuable support these charities provide.”

Guest article from Nesbit Law Group LLP

Highlighting the access to justice ‘vacuum’ in complex fraud matters

The sharp fall in the amount of costs that Solicitors can recover for personal injury claims arising from road traffic accidents continues to cause ripple effects for the industry.

Operating within the niche of road traffic claims where a Defendant has raised allegations of fraudulent activity, NLG have noted that many firms are now avoiding this area, creating a vacuum whereby claimants’ access to justice is severely limited.

As the ability to recover standard costs has been heavily restricted, so many solicitors have taken the time to undertake a costs benefit analysis, with the outcome being that the risks usually outweigh the potential benefits.

Running high numbers of road traffic work in which fraud has been alleged requires specialist business partners, specialist working knowledge, highly efficient case management protocols, and all this must be considered against a backdrop of low costs recovery.

NLG has used Proclaim for many years, and the system continues to provide a perfect platform to operate highly complex caseloads, both from a management perspective, and for the daily tasks being undertaken by fee-earners.

The ability to generate reports and data allows management level employees to continually check the performance of teams and fee-earners, whilst the ability to amend the case management system allows individuals to tailor the system for their own particular requirements.

NLG deals with vast numbers of complex claims in which fraud has been alleged, and Proclaim allows NLG to continue to operate efficiently and effectively in a niche area. More than £500,000.00 in costs has been passed back to other law firms that had decided to transfer their fraud alleged claims to NLG; those costs would otherwise have been written off, and the damages awarded to the Claimant’s would also have been unrecovered.

About Nesbit Law Group
NLG operates throughout the UK, maintaining a head office in North Manchester, and over the last 10 years has developed working methods which enable the firm to deal in this challenging area; considerable time, experience and risk is engaged in the forensic analysis of claims, employing specialist business partners, and niche legal experience.

Law Society Endorses Eclipse Legal Systems

Eclipse's Proclaim solution becomes only PMS to carry Law Society Endorsement

Eclipse Legal Systems, the UK's leading provider of legal software solutions, has announced its official endorsement by the Law Society.

The prestigious accreditation follows a rigorous assessment process, carried out during 2014, in which The Law Society examined and assessed systems including Eclipse's Proclaim Practice Management Software (PMS) solution.  The process included in-depth discussions with client bases to ascertain service levels, resilience, and the overall commercial benefits to be had by practices utilising PMS solutions.

Eclipse's Proclaim system is in use by 22,000 professionals, at 800 organisations - ranging from new startups and niche firms, through to industry heavyweights.  Proclaim is Eclipse's core PMS offering, encompassing case management, matter management and process management capabilities

The endorsement reinforces Eclipse's position as the UK's leading legal software provider, with Proclaim being unique as the only Law Society Endorsed solution of its kind.

Nigel Spencer, Law Society Chief of Commercial Affairs, comments:

“The Law Society is delighted to be endorsing Eclipse and its Proclaim software.  Our rigorous assessment process identified Eclipse as the supplier best suited to our members' needs with its fully featured and easily deployable Practice Management solution."

Russell Thomson (pictured), Chief Business Executive at Eclipse Legal Systems, comments:

“This Endorsement is testament to the quality of our Proclaim solution, and the continuing support and nurturing of the diverse needs of our clientbase.  Endorsement will enable even more law firms, of all sizes, to benefit from software which truly aids business growth."