Client Case Study: Angela Viney Conveyancing Services

Angela Viney Conveyancing Services replaces incumbent system with Proclaim Case Management solution to benefit from greater efficiency and flexibility 

Angela Viney Conveyancing Services is a specialist Commercial and Domestic Conveyancing firm operating from offices throughout West Yorkshire. The firm has gone from strength to strength over the last thirty years due to its commitment to client service and providing high quality and expert advice from its team of dedicated solicitors.

Darren Becks (Partner), and Jack Viney (Conveyancer/Proclaim Administrator) at Angela Viney Conveyancing Services, talk about the decision to implement Proclaim and the on-going benefits of the Case Management solution.

Why did you decide to replace your existing system?

Our previous system was generally unsustainable and simply couldn't keep up with our business needs. In particular, as we operate across 4 offices, we needed a system that could manage data regardless of location, as well as offer us a solid platform for future development and expansion.

Why was Eclipse your chosen provider? 

Initially, Eclipse and its Proclaim Case Management Software solution were referred to us by a number of other businesses who were benefiting from the software. Although we knew of Proclaim through its reputation, we decided to meet with a number of suppliers in order to get an accurate comparison of the legal software available within the market.

It became clear after a demonstration that the Proclaim solution could offer a lot more functionality in a variety of aspects - particularly reporting - but also allowed for complete customisation in terms of screens and workflows. Additionally, we knew we would see a significant ROI from the system thanks to the sheer scope of automation.

Furthermore, we liked the idea of working with a local business, as not only would it mean solidifying close business relationships within the local economy, but we'd also be lucky enough to benefit from the entire Eclipse team just a few miles away.

What are some of the benefits you've seen from Proclaim?

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the complete flexibility of the system is fantastic. The on-going ability we have to tweak Proclaim as and when we need to means we can adapt our work to suit client needs. For example, sometimes we undertake unusual commercial work - our previous system was extremely prescriptive and wouldn't allow for this, but with Proclaim, we can simply tailor the workflow within a few easy steps, and without needing to contact our Relationship Manager or the Support team.

Another brilliant feature is the ability to specify access for certain users. Depending on job titles and roles, we can limit particular areas of the system, as well as create an effective audit trail to ensure each member of staff is completing the required work. Taking this further, Proclaim's inbuilt task management feature means we can oversee all tasks and delegate them to users, ensuring most importantly, that work is being completed on time for clients, but also providing senior staff with total control.

Additionally, the overall layout of Proclaim is well suited to our needs. The interface makes work extremely efficient as whenever a client calls, we can access their details with literally the click of a button, or thanks to the Outlook integration, we can use the 'drag and drop' method for any incoming or outgoing emails.

In terms of Eclipse, we've found the overall experience with the entire team absolutely great - the firm delivers a very professional, yet very personal client service. The Support team is excellent, whilst our Relationship Manager has brilliant technical knowledge and is always happy to help.

How has the ETSOS integration enhanced your service offering?

The ETSOS integration has increased our efficiency massively. It has provided us with a seamless search ordering process directly from Proclaim so there's no need for us to go back and forth between the portal and our desktops anymore. This in turn saves us a lot of time as it means we are able to increase efficiencies for our clients as well as increase our profitability!

How successful were your training sessions with Eclipse?

The training was absolutely fantastic. All our staff have completed the necessary courses to enable basic use of Proclaim, but Jack underwent the Technical training as well in order to tweak the system to suit business needs.

Thanks to this, and as we mentioned earlier, we are now able to customise the system completely in-house - to suit our way of working, or to suit any unusual work requests. We wouldn't be able to do this were it not for the in-depth training we received!

Overall, feedback from our entire team was extremely positive. The size of the groups were perfect, ensuring everyone was able to work through the exercises, whilst the trainers themselves were excellent and were easily able to get everyone working through the session regardless of skill and experience.

Additionally, the training facilities were great, ensuring we were all able to work on our own desktop and use the system in real-time.

Do you have any future plans for your use of Proclaim? 

Ideally, in the long run, we hope to implement Eclipse's accounting and financial practice management toolset to provide a fully centralised and firm-wide desktop application.

In the interim, we're looking at Proclaim's integration with the Land Registry Business Gateway. Once implemented, this will provide staff with seamless Gateway interaction from their Proclaim desktops, as well as provide 2-way integration for data and documentation, ultimately enhancing our clients' experience.

Overall, we are thrilled with our Proclaim solution and the complete service offering from Eclipse. We look forward to benefiting from a long and fruitful relationship!

Eclipse's Proclaim Practice Management Software solution rolled out in 6-figure deal at Walker Foster Solicitors

Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society's sole endorsed legal software provider, today announced the implementation of its Proclaim Practice Management Software solution at Walker Foster Solicitors.

The practice operates from offices across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and Lancashire, and prides itself on its reputation as a leading, local firm of expert solicitors. With an objective to provide clients with high quality and value-for-money legal services, fee earners strive to achieve pragmatic solutions to all client requirements.

In a 6-figure deal, the Proclaim Practice Management Software solution is being rolled out to 50 staff across the Conveyancing and Probate departments. Proclaim will provide fee earners with a centralised and consistent approach to case management - from instruction through to completion - whilst the accounting toolset will provide a detailed analysis of the firm's operations. Furthermore, Eclipse's Credit Control Centre will provide the practice with a central dashboard display of key financial and payment information, with the ability to drill directly into bills, clients and matters.

In addition, Walker Foster has opted for Eclipse's legal Compliance toolset. Fully integrated within Proclaim, users will have access to a number of tools - including a Risk Register, a configurable reporting system and a Compliance Library - to assist with the extensive obligations required by the SRA.

Keith Hardington (pictured), Managing Partner at Walker Foster Solicitors, comments:

"As an established and respected practice, we chose Eclipse's Proclaim system to meet our demands for a reliable and robust legal software solution that would scale with us as we grow. The integrated tools Eclipse offers to manage elements such as compliance further cemented our decision, and the overall solution will ensure we manage all elements of matter management efficiently and effectively on a day-to-day basis."

Client Case Study: Consilia Legal

Eclipse and Consilia Legal work in tandem to create specialist Mediation software solution 

"By partnering with Eclipse to create this system, we have shaped the software to perfectly suit our business needs. Throughout the entire process, we found Eclipse to be extremely supportive and hands-on, enabling us to build a comprehensive Practice Management system that has quickly become an integral part of our firm. Put simply, we could not carry out Mediation work in this volume - nor to this quality - without Proclaim."
Sally Clark, Director at Consilia Legal 

Based in Leeds, Consilia Legal is an expanding niche law firm specialising in Mediation, Family and Employment services. The practice, which recently celebrated its 1st birthday, offers an upfront, fixed fee approach to its work, ensuring clients are supplied with manageable costs from the outset. This ethos coupled with the personal and tailored service offered by staff, explains the rapidly expanding client base and outstanding reputation earned by the young practice.

The challenge 
The areas of law covered by Consilia Legal - specifically Mediation - are extremely document heavy. Having previously used a basic and disparate system, the firm needed a software provider to help create a bespoke solution able to handle the complicated rates and structures inherent within Mediation work.

The solution 
A bespoke Proclaim Mediation Practice Management software solution was created as a joint project between Eclipse and Consilia. Both firms worked together to develop workflows and documents required for the new case type, guaranteeing a completely adaptable system. Furthermore, the firm opted for Eclipse's fully integrated out-of-the-box Family and Employment systems to allow the entire team desktop access to productivity-enhancing workflow and task management tools.

The results 
Since implementing Proclaim, Consilia now possesses the ability to operate as a virtually paperless office, an invaluable benefit given the volume of documentation linked to Mediation.

The firm can also regularly modify its standard case structure to suit Legal Aid/Private Client work. All time is recorded automatically and can be easily uploaded to the LAA, eliminating duplicate data entry and the risk of human error.

Additionally, Consilia is currently in the process of developing another bespoke system with Eclipse - this time for workplace Mediation.

Case Study highlights 

• Innovative and bespoke Mediation software solution 
• Catering for Legal Aid and Private Client work
• Fully compliant with the LAA 
• Eliminated duplicate data entry and the risk of human error 

How Proclaim legal software provides solid foundations for start-up firms

See how Eclipse's Proclaim Case and Practice Management Software system removes uncertainty and provides a future-proof and scalable platform for new firms.

Featured in this video:

• Phil Hodgkinson
  Pure Legal Costs

• David Edwards
  Edwards Hoyle 

• Sally Clark and Laura Clapton
  Consilia Legal 

• Idris Mir
  Mir Solicitors 

• Chris Byron
  Aspire Law 

• Ross Carr
  Bakers Solicitors 

Proclaim is the only Case and Practice Management Software solution endorsed by the Law Society. 

Eclipse's Proclaim Practice Management Software is the ultimate solution for new start-up, Morton Young Solicitors

Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society's sole endorsed legal software provider, is implementing its Proclaim Practice Management Software solution at Morton Young Solicitors, a claims litigation specialist.

Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, the new start-up handles all aspects of Personal Injury law - from road traffic accidents (RTA), accidents at work and accidents in public and private places, through to product liability claims. The practice boasts an exceptional and personalised service, providing clients with direct access to a team of experienced, senior lawyers.

Key requirements for the new start-up were full life cycle management for a broad range of claim types, rapid process automation and streamlined volume throughput. In order to accommodate these necessities, Morton Young Solicitors is implementing a full Proclaim Practice Management Software solution, incorporating a comprehensive accounting and financial toolset with an out-of-the-box Personal Injury Case Management solution.

Fee earners at Morton Young Solicitors will benefit from a completely centralised desktop application, ensuring consistency and security throughout the practice, whilst streamlining case progression and ultimately enhancing client service - a vital offering for a new start-up in the competitive injury claims arena.

John McCormick (pictured), Director at Morton Young Solicitors, comments:

"As a new start-up business, we know how important it is for us to be able to underpin our operations with the best legal software on the market. Having previously worked with Proclaim, my partner and I knew straight away it would be the solution of choice for our practice. For us, Proclaim is the ultimate solution, providing us with unlimited flexibility and scalability, as well as being 'ready-to-go' to ensure we hit the ground running."