Amicus Attorney from Gavel & Gown Ltd is a Case Management system with 225,000 users worldwide. (The parent company is Canadian but there is full system Technical Support, implementation and Training in the UK). The latest Version 7 has now been released, this is an SQL based version and is offered with a Browser option. Amicus Attorney allows you to effectively manage the continuous stream of information you must deal with every day; providing a comprehensive suite of tools for managing client matter files, people, documents, deadlines, appointments and "to do" time entries, CRM, phone calls, e-mails, messages, notes, legal research, conflict checks, business development and date calculations. It organises all the information in one integrated system, including synchronization with your PDA and more. Pricing is a one-off 229 per user for the Standard Edition (includes MSDE SQL Database) and 329 for the Premium Edition (SQL is required, 69 per user if supplied by Amicus). See also PCLaw for an accounts system which integrates with Amicus Attorney.

Anya Designs Anya Designs is a legal software company which offers case management software in conjunction with accounts. The software, called CaseKeeper, is a case management, time recording and billing system designed specifically to comply with LSC computerisation requirements. Launched in 2000, it is now installed in over 200 firms and provides legal aid lawyers with a single (and cost effective) solution to computerisation and billing requirements. CaseKeeper is sold on a modular basis, each module corresponds to a franchise category - Family, Crime, Civil and Immigration. Prices are per office not per user and are paid for on a one-off basis with no yearly seat licence. Initial purchase of CaseKeeper starts from 2,300 + VAT for an office licence. A free trial CD is available. There is also a new accounts system which integrates fully with the case management of CaseKeeper. Particular features include the handling of the standard monthly payment from the LSC, allocating the payment across the individual matters and posting to the ledgers as appropriate. In the summer of 2005, Anya announced the launch of iLaw, designed for the larger private, legal aid and commercial sector. iLaw contains facilities to create civil, criminal, family, immigration, conveyancing, probate and private files along with a multi - branch accounting module. Costs are visible from the outset, making business planning for IT simple.

Avanquest specialise in server based e-document delivery and messaging software in the Legal Industry. RightFax is an award-winning network fax solution. CallXpress is a modular messaging software that unifies voice, fax and email. OnBase is an enterprise Integrated Document Management (IDM) system which combines workflow, document management, imaging and report management technologies in a single, web-based application. Text Message Server is a Multi-user SMS application that allows users to communicate via SMS with one or more contacts. It displays all received messages in a users Inbox and all unallocated messages in a shared Inbox.

Avenue has been acquired by Technology For Business (TFB) and no longer exists as a separate company.

Axiom Business Computers Ltd, established in 1982, has been delivering Legal Software Solutions to firms throughout the UK for over 21 years. Over 300 Law Firms in Scotland use Axiom Legal Software Solutions. The current range of software has been developed to integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Windows and Office products (they are Microsoft Certified Solution Providers) and uses the power of these applications to extend the functionality of its own applications. The current version of Practice Manager, based on Microsoft SQL Server, is modular in design and contains Legal Accounts, Client Relationship Management, Document Management, Case Management, Estate Agency, Time Recording and The Vault - a Document Indexing Tool. Clients can pick and mix whichever modules they require. Other services available include Web related reporting, Web Site Design, Hosting and Mail Forwarding. Axiom can also support the network infrastructure of its client so the clients have only one point of contact for all their support needs.

Member of the Legal Software Suppliers Assocation
Axxia Systems Limited has a long history in the legal market through its earlier incarnations as Kienzle, Mannesmann Kienzle and then Digital Kienzle. Now an independent company owned by directors and staff, Axxia has a 25% share of the market of the top 300 firms with its Unix-based software, Arista and Windows based system, Artiion. However, it also has 225 firms outside of the top 300, demonstrating its cross-market appeal. Aside from the UK, Axxia has built a dominant share in Ireland, where it has 50% of the top 20 firms. Turnover is around 10 million and there are 100 staff. User groups operate throughout the UK and Ireland, meeting at both regional and national level on a regular basis. Perhaps because of the many medium to large size firms amongst the user base, Axxia has a particularly strong set of facilities in accounting provision and reporting. All the systems use Informix as the data base (Informix Dynamic Server for the Windows systems), which means that the Fee-earner Desktop Systems originally developed for Arista (to give a Windows "front end" to Arista) can also be used for the newer systems. The new systems are written in the Delphi programming language. There is case management software which is fully integrated with the Practice Management System (PMS) and works from the same database. Standard Workflows are supplied to aid implementation for particular work types ( eg conveyancing, personal injury). In addition, Axxia has taken the functionality of Case Manager and made it available with simplistic workflows - this is Matter Management, which enables firms to manage electronic files for every case/matter within the practice. In excess of twenty firms now have this facility throughout. Case Manager and electronic Time Recording are also available on a completely stand-alone basis, meaning firms can immediately gain Desktop and Case Manager benefits without having to change their accounting systems. This stand-alone facility is particularly attractive to smaller firms and the local authority market. Similarly, the Eiion Windows accounts package has been designed specifically for firms with fewer than 30 users and it also has the benefits of the same desktop software as Arista and Artiion. There is a new Personal Knowledge Centre browser application and several e-business products: e-Case, e-Tran and e-Sync. These provide online case tracking, automatic case inception and automated data exchange capabilities.

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Bailey Solutions provides affordable software for legal libraries. The system, called Penlib, was designed by Penny Bailey, a professional legal librarian and is suitable for law firms, in-house legal departments and barristers chambers. It covers cataloguing and indexing at multiple locations if needed, budgets and accounts, online borrowing and journal circulation. The latest development is PenWeb, a web-based search front end allowing library users to find what's in the library and whether it is on loan without leaving their desk. PenWeb is designed to fit in with corporate Intranets and makes networking much easier. In addition to the library software, Bailey Solutions offers customised software for other tasks in legal organisations, including file management, archiving and tracking systems and databases to meet specific client requirements.

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Capsoft UK Ltd. is the exclusive distributor of the USA HotDocs products in the UK. HotDocs is the leading document generation software in the world, with 400,000 users. Based in Edinburgh and London, Capsoft UK has won several awards, both in the US and UK. As well as the original style of using HotDocs (where the user runs software on his/her own computer) there is also a version of the software called HotDocs Online which can be used to generate forms and documents online which some firms are using to provide legal document generation for their clients. There is a demonstration of this on the Capsoft site.

CBitSoft Ltd offers a suite of conveyancing software called Case Family. This consists of CaseCollect, CaseQuote, CaseMan and CaseTrack, all of which can be purchased, or leased, separately or together as required. The system provides full integration with the Internet for obtaining new business, as well as enabling clients and other parties secure access to view the progress of their case online 24/7. The quotation module produces quotations quickly and efficiently and the case management system allows the conveyancer to view the progress of cases as well as being able to automatically assemble communication documents, generate forms and access the NLIS via Searchflow, TM Property and Transaction-Online. The system can check its own database daily and carry out the tasks of producing the forms and communications that are due automatically and autonomously if the user wishes. The system user interface is highly intuitive meaning that training requirements are minimal. Free demonstrations of the systems can be arranged and the products are available for a free evaluation period. Systems can be purchased outright or leased if preferred.

Chris Dale Lawyer Support contains useful information on litigation support, e-disclosure and also web site design and he acts as a consultant on these topics, particularly in helping lawyers get started with e-disclosure. He qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and since then has worked for 13 years as a developer of litigation software and in litigation readiness, data conversion and related matters, and specifically on complex or badly-presented data. He is well-known as a commentator on both technical e-Disclosure matters, recent and pending changes to the Court Rules, and the litigation support market, particularly as it affects firms who are not yet committed to electronic Disclosure. He also has a litigation support Blog just beginning here.

Member of the Legal Software Suppliers Assocation
Civica (formerly Sanderson IT Systems) has been supplying IT systems to medium to large sized practices for over 20 years. With nearly 3,000 daily users is both a Microsoft and Citrix GOLD Certified Partner. The companys' Galaxy range of software is a comprehensive and fully integrated practice, case and document management system for both private and public sector clients. The system is totally integrated with a central relational database (SQL Server) that can operate on Windows NT/2000 platforms in either a 'thick' or 'thin' environment or supplied as a 'hosted' or 'managed' service. Standard Workflows can be supplied to assist with the rapid deployment of a case system in a firm including Conveyancing, Personal Injury, Re-mortgage, Mortgage Repossession, Family, Criminal, Wills, Trust & Probate and Debt Collection module as well as special applications for the Local Authority user. The system can also be used in 'generic' mode to provide a complete, firmwide system and conformance to 'Practice Standards' which enables firms to manage electronic files for every Client, Matter and Case within the practice or legal department. Other features include the ability for documents to be scanned directly into the system and updates to clients, partners, fee earners, support staff or third party service providers being sent by e-mail, Outlook tasklist, fax, SMS message or Web based extranet link. The company also supports earlier systems from Sanderson, in particular the QNIX software.

Second in the Institute of Legal Cashiers survey of user satisfaction 2007
Featured in the Law Society's Software Solutions Guide 2008
Cognito Software writes and develops innovative workflow management software to help automate work environments. Since 1991, the company has been supplying specialist applications to the legal profession and have developed a powerful suite of software tools for Solicitors. All modules can be fully integrated with each other and share a common database.
* PracticeManager - Accounting in line with SAR, 200 Management Reports, Fee Earner Performance, Credit Control.
* CaseManager - Automatic letter generation, form filling and calculations. Time Recording, Diary, Block Contracting LSC, Conveyancing, Debt Collection, Employment, Family, Personal Injury.
* Custodiens - Case and Trust & Probate Accounting; Automated completion of IHT 200 and D forms, Pre and Post grant letters and Final Estate Accounts.

CompuForms, which is part of the DMR Information and Technology Group, design and develop UK legal and statutory forms for use with computer based form filling systems. There are nearly 700 statutory and compliance forms available with automatic monthly updates. The CompuForms library is available for use with Microsoft Word, Novell Informs, Jordans' Forms on Disk and other industry standard software. Forms can be purchased and downloaded from the site for running on your own premises, or (for a one-off form) filled in on the site and then downloaded as a single finished form.

Computer Software Group (CS Group) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a fast growing software business employing over 300 people, with offices in the UK and US. The Group's core business is the provision of commercial software for selected markets including financials, distribution, logistics, CRM & skills management. The group has recently purchased four key UK suppliers in the legal market - AIM, Laserform, Videss and Mountain. For more details on these key players, please refer to the individual entries on these pages.

ConveyanceLink is a company which designs, implements and supports integrated transaction management software for estate agents and conveyancing software for property lawyers. The software for conveyancers, ConveyanceLink, is a case management system that assists and enhances the conveyance process from initial instruction through to satisfactory completion. The ConveyanceLink case management software can electronically receive instructions directly from an agent. The conveyancer keeps an up-to-date progress log within the package for their own internal reference which is transferred back to the agent and onto the ConveyanceLink website for clients to review. The software by enabling the firm to export the latest reports on conveyancing matters to the SellersLink site ensures that the firm need not be concerned for the security or operation of the site.

ConveyProControl, from Courage & Co., provides conveyancing software to the legal profession. The software helps to standardise, automate and track each step in the conveyancing process and significantly reduces administration time, and therefore costs, for all types of conveyancing. The software contains over 300 easily personalised standard letters documents and details of all clients and other related parties. It monitors completion warning dates, provides progress reports and generates automatic calculations and forms. Courage & Co was founded in 1992 by Archie Courage to provide Information Technology consultancy to the legal profession. In 1996 ConveyProControl was developed in response to changing market needs and client requests. See also SDLT.co.uk.

Corel Corporation provides WordPerfect, which continues to battle against the ubiquity of Microsoft Word. Corel has addressed concerns of the compatibility of Word Perfect and Microsoft Word; files can be interchanged relatively easily between these formats with little or no loss of information or formatting as well as easy publishing to pdf, html. and xml. The current version is Corel Office X3. Based in Ottawa, Canada, Corel was an early pioneer in graphics software and continues to develop innovative business and Internet software for a variety of platforms, including Linux.

CrimeFile is a program for Criminal Case Management for the PC, designed by solicitor Julian Gibbons. It will handle the latest legal aid forms (CLAIM7 and CLAIM8) and has facilities for logging all sorts of legal aid cases and for producing billing guides. There is also a smaller system for use on the Psion 3a/3c and 5 personal organisers called The Advocate. This has legal aid calculators for police station claims, Green Form, Magistrates' and Crown Court and other categories of work.

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The Data Base, now called Ramesys, is based in Nottingham and Manchester and provides infrastructure, internet and document production systems to various market sectors, including the legal market. There is a strong user base of large and medium sized firms of solicitors.

DESKspace is an environment for a solicitors' practice and other professionals, designed by solicitor Nick Lightbody. It stores and processes people, organisations, clients, matters, reminders, files, reports/deeds / valuables/ documents, communications, time spent, expense incurred, bills or invoices issued, receipts and payments. The software is based on FileMaker Pro, a relational database. The networked version can cater for up to 250 users and there is a full double entry accounts system included.

Featured in the Law Society's Software Solutions Guide 2008
DPS Software plc, based in Enfield, Middlesex, has been one of the leading suppliers of case management software for many years, with over 800 users. There is now also an accounts system called DPS Cashier which integrates fully with the case management. Their latest offering is a Digital Dictation management system called TeamTalk. All applications are fully integrated, working from a single common database, so data is only entered once and is thereafter available for all applications. Their One Office system can also use TFB, Elite, Civica or any other SQL based accounts systems as their 'home' client and matter databases. The case management software assembles documents, forms and letters and tracks fee earner 'to do' lists. In the background the system also tracks all the work that individuals have done (or had done for them) in any one day. This can then be reviewed and electronically approved. The system automatically costs all actions taken and prompts fee-earners when time is likely to have been used, e.g. in a court appearance. Time can also be recorded using on-screen clocks or after the event. There are modules for conveyancing, criminal billing and franchising, matrimonial, general litigation support and personal injury. Matter history can be published live to the web and can be viewed by clients and work providers using passwords. Their dictation module TeamTalk integrates straight into the case management system. Fee earners can create letters then dictate amendments or whole sections of body text. The voice recording along with the partial letter is then delivered to the secretaries for transcription. All jobs are tracked in both the dictation and case management and all workflows are fully user definable. The DPS case management "One Office" is the first case management system to be certified as PISCES compliant.
Extra information DPS have launched a new case and matter management system operating entirely within Microsoft Outlook, with which most lawyers are already entirely familiar. As they check their email, they can also preview their cases and documents and indeed open new cases. The software combines case management with the phone, digital dictation, task, web and text messaging services, legal accounts and document assembly. DPS software can be run remotely, (Software as a Service) and DPS are encouraging this type of operation for smaller and medium sized firms in particular, since it reduces the IT burden for the firm concerned.

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