Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall selects Eclipse’s Proclaim Practice Management Software solution

Greater Manchester and Lancashire law firm, Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall (WHN), has implemented the Proclaim Practice Management Software solution from Eclipse Legal Systems.

Employing over 100 specialists across seven locations, WHN offers a comprehensive array of legal services. The firm’s expertise ranges from corporate and commercial property disputes through to conveyancing and medical negligence. WHN prides itself on its commitment to delivering outstanding service and results to businesses, individuals and families.

The deal means the firm will be implementing the Proclaim Matter Management Software solution, with a ready-to-go Conveyancing Case Management system enabling the residential property team to experience immediate process enhancements. WHN will also utilise Proclaim as its integrated practice accounting and reporting toolset, providing a ‘one view’ approach to the firm’s finances and financial management data.  

As part of the drive to further enhance efficiencies in property transactions, WHN will take advantage of the integration between Proclaim and the Land Registry’s Business Gateway (LRBG). Providing two-way integration for both data and documentation, solicitors will have instant access via the Proclaim desktop application, delivering the ultimate in operational effectiveness.

Mike Gillibrand (pictured), Finance Director at Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall, said:

“The decision is client led. In a modern, flexible world the right IT can make a huge difference in how law firms deliver legal services.”

“More of our solicitors are working offsite, on the move with clients, so the new legal software will give them the tools to bring greater efficiencies into the way they advise clients, accessing important documents as and when they need them.”

“Whether it’s working with businesses or individuals, due to the nature of our business, we must have a rigorous and robust document storage management system. The process in how we store and recover documents will now be quicker and more secure, bringing greater operational efficiencies.”

Guinness World Records holder, Thomson Snell & Passmore, implements Proclaim Case Management solution

Full service law firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore, is implementing the Law Society Endorsed Proclaim Case Management Software solution from Eclipse Legal Systems.

Rated by Guinness World Records as the UK’s oldest law firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore can trace its history back to 1570, signifying a unique promise of longevity and continuity. Providing a full range of services to private clients and business organisations, the firm offers a friendly and supportive service from its team of astute solicitors.

The firm will be implementing a ready-to-go Personal Injury Case Management system, serving to improve transparency and efficiency, whilst providing fee earners with a consistent approach to matter management. Additionally, Eclipse’s integration with the MoJ’s Claims Portals will ensure the process of submitting claims is much quicker, allowing fee earners to manage all submissions entirely through the Proclaim desktop.

Further to this, Thomson Snell & Passmore will take advantage of Proclaim’s integration with the incumbent Envision legal accounting solution, providing the firm with a ‘one view’ approach to financial management and enabling further analysis of overall productivity and efficiency throughout the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence departments.

Anthony Graham (pictured), Head of Information Systems at Thomson Snell & Passmore comments:

"As an extremely well-established practice, we aim to continually develop our services, not only to meet the needs of the dynamic legal sector, but also to meet the needs of our clients. After conducting research into the market, we found Proclaim to be a fantastic solution, ensuring total flexibility and therefore enabling us to offer the most efficient and flexible service to our clients – something that is key to our longevity within the legal profession.”

Client Case Study: AVRillo

Award-winning Conveyancing specialist thanks Proclaim for enhanced client service

“AVRillo is a Sunday Times Award winner, with thanks to Proclaim which has allowed us to structure our commitment to customer services across the entire firm.”

Angelo Piccirillo, Partner and Co-founder of AVRillo 

Based in Enfield, AVRillo is a family-run practice specialising in Conveyancing. The firm, established in 1989, is still setting the standards within the legal sector with its multi-award winning services. In addition to being an Investors in Business winner and a Sunday Times Award winner, AVRillo’s reputation for quality and expertise has been rewarded by the Law Society, which has granted AVRillo the prestigious ‘Quality Conveyancing’ accreditation, as well as the ‘Legal Excellence’ award.

The Challenge
AVRillo was looking for a Practice Management System that could grow and develop in line with changing client and business demands. The PMS needed to be flexible and allow for control over the firm’s processes and working practices.

The Solution
A Proclaim Practice Management Software solution was selected and is utilised throughout the firm. The inbuilt toolsets mean staff can easily organise or create changes to workflows and continuously develop the system without the need of an IT specialist.

In addition, AVRillo decided to implement Eclipse’s TouchPoint system, to provide clients with a completely personal ‘self-service’ experience and allowing the delivery of bespoke real-time data via any smart device and any web browser.

The Results
Since implementing Proclaim, AVRillo has managed to reach ISO International Management standards, become Investors in Business and been able to structure its commitment to client service across the entire firm.

The Practice wanted to introduce a mobile application for its clients, but quickly realised Proclaim’s TouchPoint could offer much more, and would allow for the flexibility that clients demanded.

TouchPoint will provide complete transparency - AVRillo’s clients can check on their cases and documents at any point and from anywhere. The flexibility and transparency of the system will provide clients with the full conveyancing picture, and a greater understanding of the entire process, using plain-English explanations and useful FAQs.

Case Study highlights 
• Complete control over working practices
• Enhanced client service
• Powerful financial reporting
• Closer client relationships through TouchPoint

Eclipse announces ‘Outlook Add-in’ for Commercial law firms and departments

Law Society Endorsed legal software provider, Eclipse Legal Systems, has announced an Outlook Add-in for users of its Proclaim Case and Matter Management systems.

The new feature is available for the benefit of Eclipse clients, seamlessly embedded within the Proclaim solution. Fee earners working in a commercial department – who may not ordinarily use Proclaim for day-to-day matter management – can now benefit from Proclaim’s document and email handling capabilities, accessible via an Outlook interface.

This new Proclaim solution provides commercial users with a view of ‘favourite’ matters, contacts and documents, as well as regularly used email and group contacts. Relevant contacts can be attached to matters, enabling the user to rapidly access key contact data when they enter the appropriate client file(s).

In addition, the new Outlook Add-in development enables users to create draft documents (using versioning if required) which are available for viewing in the Outlook previewing pane. Fee earners can also add Word documents from their desktop into a specific client file – via a simple drag and drop method – which are then available for review and editing. Furthermore, a search facility not only enables users to search Outlook for emails from specific clients, but also enables the requested search to be selected and re-used at later times.

Mick Thompson (pictured), Technical Director at Eclipse, comments:

“Eclipse’s development philosophy means that we are constantly enhancing the feature-set offered by Proclaim. This Outlook Add-in provides the kind of flexibility and accessibility that our clients have come to expect from Eclipse, and opens up Proclaim’s benefit pool to a broader audience who may ordinarily not experience the system.”

Client Case Study: Joseph Frasier Solicitors

Award-winning legal specialist adopts Proclaim to maintain exceptional client commitment 

“Modern legal practise depends upon the right technologies to deliver the services clients need – Proclaim meets all our objectives.”

Chris Kushner, Practice Manager at Joseph Frasier Solicitors

Joseph Frasier Solicitors – recently crowned ‘Legal Business of the Year’ at the Red Rose Awards 2015 – is the leading law firm offering information and legal advice for deaf, hard of hearing people and others. The practice covers a range of law from Industrial Disease and Clinical Negligence to Personal Injury and Family. It also provides an impressive Costs service to other solicitors as well as its internal departments. The firm prides itself on its passion and commitment to clients.

The Challenge 
Joseph Frasier Solicitors was beginning to attract an increasing number of new cases to manage. The firm needed to acquire a Practice Management System that would allow staff to monitor and report on the increased workload.
The practice was also looking for a more efficient accounting system with the ability to create and schedule reports accurately, considering the volume of work anticipated.

The Solution
A Proclaim Practice Management Solution was implemented and is utilised across the firm, providing a core desktop application for fee earners. Proclaim creates standard precedent letters and packs with the click of a mouse button, and pulls in relevant case data, merging it into the chosen documents automatically, saving the firm hours of administration time.
Proclaim’s integrated accounting toolset enables the firm to see the ledger on each file, and gives them access to departmental and company data, with the option to drill down into miniscule detail.

The Results  
Joseph Frasier Solicitors is increasingly making use of Proclaim’s reporting functionality, easily creating reports to identify progress made by the firm compared to expectations, and anticipate future needs.
Additionally, the New Business Enquiries (NBE) module has allowed the practice to seamlessly manage incoming enquiries and on-going prospect relationships, meaning staff never overlook a potential client.

Case Study highlights
• Fully integrated Practice Management system
• End-to-end management of incoming enquiries
• Powerful reporting
• Inherent flexibility

The Shortlist for the Law Society Excellence Awards 2015

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Law Society Excellence Awards 2015, proudly sponsored by Eclipse Legal Systems. The event takes place on Thursday 22nd October at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane.

The judges were extremely impressed with the high calibre of the nominations for the 16 awards categories and had an overwhelming number of individual entries to consider. After much deliberation the panel of VIP judges have whittled down all the entries to the final shortlist of firms and individuals below:

Excellence in Pro Bono
• Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP
• Bernard Chill & Axtell Solicitors
• Freshfields
• Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
• Hogan Lovells
• Lawford Davies Denoon
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges
• White & Case LLP

Excellence in Client Service
• Crater Law Solicitors LLP
• Emsleys Solicitors
• Kingsley Napley LLP
• LA Law Limited
• Makin Dixon Solicitors Ltd
• National Centre for Domestic Violence
• QS Jackson Canter

Excellence in Technology
• Napthens LLP
• RPC with Intralinks
• Saracens Solicitors Limited
• Schillings

Excellence in Marketing & Communications
• Bernard Chill & Axtell Solicitors
• Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
• Bott & Co Solicitors
• Giles Wilson LLP
• Keystone Law
• McMillan Williams Solicitors Ltd
• RPC
• Stephens Scown LLP

Excellence in Private Client Practice
• Debenhams Ottaway
• Emmersons Solicitors
• Giles Wilson LLP
• Latimer Hinks Solicitors Ltd
• Pinney Talfourd LLP Solicitors
• Randall & Phillips LLP
• Shoosmiths LLP
• Tees Law
• Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP

Excellence in Learning & Development
• Ashfords LLP
• Baker & McKenzie
• Bird & Bird LLP
• Giles Wilson LLP
• JNP Legal
• Mills & Reeve LLP
• Myhomemove
• RPC
• Taylor Wessing LLP

Excellence in International Legal Services
• Addleshaw Goddard LLP
• JMiles & Co
• PLMJ Law Firm
• Shulmans LLP
• Stephenson Harwood LLP
• Trowers and Hamlins LLP

Excellence in Business Development
• Eastlaw, North Norfolk District Council
• Emsleys Solicitors
• Giles Wilson LLP
• Harmans Costs
• HB Public Law
• Ian Henery Solicitors Ltd
• Navistar Legal Limited
• Osbornes Solicitors LLP
• Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
• Baker & McKenzie
• CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors
• Gordons LLP
• Hogan Lovells
• InterLaw Diversity Forum
• Irwin Mitchell LLP
• Reed Smith LLP

The Law Society Gazette Legal Personality of the Year
• Robin Murray and Bill Waddington, CLSA
• Zoe Norden, Guardian News & Media Limited
• Tunde Okewale, Doughty Street Chambers
• Joss Saunders, Oxfam
• Rebecca Stevens, Withy King
• Michael Ward, Gateley PLC
• Ayesha Vardag, Vardags

Solicitor Advocate of the Year
• Greg Foxsmith, Freelance Advocacy Services
• Simon Heaney, Heaney Watson
• Helen Johnson, Emery Johnson Astills
• John-Paul MacNamara, McMillan Williams Solicitors Limited
• Michael O'Brien, Broudie Jackson Canter
• Tim Taylor QC, King & Wood Mallesons
• Adam Tear, Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Junior Lawyer of the Year
• Claudine Adeyemi, Mishcon de Reya
• Jonathan Hodge, Giles Wilson LLP
• Stuart Mason, Clifford Chance LLP
• Nina Rathbone Pullen, Wilson Solicitors LLP
• Laura Scaife, Addleshaw Goddard
• Natalie Sedacca, Hodge Jones & Allen LLP
• Philippa Southwell, Birds Solicitors

Woman Lawyer of the Year
• Victoria Davey, Gordons LLP
• Laura Devine, Laura Devine Solicitors
• Sara Maccallum, Boodle Hatfield LLP
• Daphne Robertson, DR Solicitors
• Caron Rockey, Martyn Prowel Solicitors

Solicitor of the Year - In-house
• Suber Akther, Siemens PLC
• Andrew Barnes, Virgin Money PLC
• Mark Beer, DIFC Courts
• Mandeep Kaur Gill, NSPCC
• Musonda Chibwe Kapotwe, Citigroup Global Markets Limited
• Annemarie Roberts, One Housing

Solicitor of the Year - Private Practice
• Rachel Carter, Wollen Michelmore Solicitors
• Sarah Collier, Gorvins Solicitors
• Peter Garsden, Quality Solicitors Abney Garsden
• Marcus Hayes, Mason Hayes Solicitors
• Matthew James Claughton, Olliers
• Edward McMullen, Blake Morgan LLP
• Chris Partington, Slater Heelis LLP
• Laura Saunsbury, Lewis Nedas Law LTD
• Koser Shaheen, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
• Polly Sweeney, Irwin Mitchell

Human Rights Lawyer of the Year
• Jules Carey, Bindmans LLP
• Richard Charlton, R Charlton Solicitors
• Katherine Craig, Reprieve
• Sonal Ghelani, The Migrants' Law Project, Islington Law Centre
• Stephen Grosz QC, Bindmans LLP
• Philip Leach, European Human Rights Advocacy Centre
• Emma Norton, Liberty
• Yakaré-Oulé (Nani) Jansen, Media Legal Defence Initiative
• Mark Scott, Bhatt Murphy Solicitors

Proclaim Case Management System implemented by claims specialist, United Legal Assistance

New start-up firm, United Legal Assistance, has implemented the Proclaim Case Management Software solution from Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society’s sole endorsed provider.

Formed in 2014, United Legal Assistance provides a friendly and professional service, boasting over 20 years of experience in the insurance and claims management industry. Whether working on behalf of a broker, or representing a client, the team offer a range of services from claims management and legal expense insurance to uninsured loss recovery and fleet management.

United Legal Assistance will be implementing an out-the-box Claims Case Management system enabling fee earners to streamline processes and work from a centralised desktop application. In addition, the firm will use Proclaim to manage its fleet of hire vehicles; ensuring all tax, servicing and MOT information is stored, as well as utilising Proclaim’s integrated diary to provide automated reminders when these appointments are due.

As part of the firm’s ambition to further its exceptional client service, United Legal is integrating Eclipse’s FileView tool within its overall solution. FileView will securely display selected live, Proclaim information, allowing client access to 24/7 support without the need for United Legal to increase staff numbers or hours.

Adam Hughes (pictured), Co-founder and Director at United Legal Assistance, comments:

"Eclipse is the clear market leader in Case Management Software, standing head and shoulders above other providers. From initial implementation the Eclipse team ensured our system was up and running efficiently, whilst the bespoke training we received has guaranteed our team will be getting the most from Proclaim. Overall, our new Case Management system will significantly increase our efficiency, resulting in an enhanced reputation for high quality client service.”