It is our expectation to have every matter that comes into the firm on the case management system by 30 June 1996. So, what is a 'procedure file' and how does it help you work. To appreciate the advantages that may be obtained from case management, you first have to come to terms with the unpalatable idea that only a very small amount of the work you do is pure law. The vast majority of your work is administration, whether this be in the form of terms of business letters being sent out at the start of each matter, following standard directions issued by the court, or sending out progress letters to your client as the matter progresses. Those firms who have a legal aid franchise will be well aware of the amount of additional information involved arising from this.
Nothing can carry out mundane administration better than a computer.
This is where case management comes in. This may have been true of older programs, but the system we use will cope with anything. The advantages are enormous. In spite of this dramatic reduction in staff, we have been able to improve the standards of work by letting the computer handle the documents that are produced, reminding us when things go wrong or are delayed, and checking that no steps have been missed out at certain key points in the matter. We consider that we are running conveyancing as efficiently as possible, without letting quality of work and service suffer.