The Civil Legal Aid Franchise Support module is part of Mountain Software's totally integrated software solution for Solicitors' firms and is offered as an optional "add-on" product.

By using this module in conjunction with the Mountain Software Practice Management System and Accounts/Time Recording module, firms are able to meet all the requirements of the Legal Services Commission and operate efficiently in this area.

Benefits

The system automatically produces the Consolidated Matter Report Form (CMRF) and the New Matter Start Form. It also allows the user to add "end points," which greatly enhance a firm's ability to operate efficiently in the field of Legal Aid.

By using the Civil Legal aid module, all the correct Legal Aid rates can be stored in the Mountain Software Accounts system to ensure that the time recording system picks up the correct charge out rate for the particular activity that the fee earner is carrying out.

The module also provides the Budget Variance report as well as an Average Case Cost report with variance analysis. Also included is a Contract Management report to enable firms to monitor their progress against their matter limit. There is also a report available that identifies Legal Aid Matters, opened both by matter type and also Legal Aid type. The same reports are also available for closed matters.

By operating this module, firms can reduce their reliance on cost draughtsmen and be able to improve their profit margins on this type of work.

Mountain Software was the first software house to provide links for the electronic submission of the Consolidated Matter Report Form (CMRF) via the internet and offer this as an optional add-on to this module.

This add-on module provides Legal Aid practices with the tools required to ensure their costs are kept to a minimum, their time is utilised proactively and that they comply with all LSC rules and regulations. By using this module, manual and repetitive work is carried out by the software, not by a paid member of staff.

FEATURES

• Legal Aid rate tables for time recording
• Search by certificate number
• Average case cost report with variance analysis
• Budget variance analysis report
• Contract management report
• Automatic production of CMRF and matter start forms
• Integrated report writer
• Links to Mountain Software Practice Management and Accounts/Time Recording system