Just Costs Solicitors
January 6th, 2010
Download this case study as a PDF file
Just Costs is the UK?s leading legal practice focusing solely on the recovery of legal costs for Claimant Personal Injury and Commercial firms.
The young firm was founded ? and is led ? by Paul Shenton, a qualified barrister and solicitor who gained experience in a range of high profile cases whilst a Partner for nine years at national giant, Eversheds. The firm?s ethos is a simple one, as Paul (pictured, left) explains:
?At Just Costs, the aim is to meet and anticipate our clients? requirements by providing a comprehensive, individually tailored solution. This premise is not just sales talk ? we are prepared to guarantee our services so that the stresses associated with costs are completely removed. As a Solicitors practice, we can even collect the settlement monies for our clients and send it via BACS directly to their accounts. A complete end-to-end solution.?
To match these bold service claims, the firm needs watertight internal organisation, and the ability to track and report upon every aspect of every case. It is not enough to provide just a ?fast? service; overlooked elements such as management reporting, access to in-depth case statistics, and slick (even instant) client communications are also crucial.
To this end, Paul knew that investment in a dedicated Case Management software system would be essential. In late 2005, he approached Eclipse Legal Systems to take a look at its Proclaim software. A positive demonstration was affirmed by glowing reports from peers in the industry, and Paul was moved to place an order for the system just days after the initial meeting with Eclipse. Proclaim integrates a core case management database with word processing, document management, reporting and diary facilities to provide a complete desktop solution to the working needs of file handlers and negotiators. Paul comments on his reaction to the system:
?Many costs firms still do not use case management systems, and find themselves struggling to offer a fast and efficient service to their clients. For example, generating relevant management information without a computerised system and consistent processes must be nigh-on impossible. I saw an investment in Proclaim as a real boost, not only to internal procedures, but also in strengthening our pitches for new business.?
Currently in use by 25 Just Costs staff, Proclaim is proving to be invaluable in enabling swifter case progression, monitoring key statistics and performance indicators, and strengthening relationships with clients. Paul comments on the day-to-day benefits of the software:
?Since day one of implementation, Just Costs has been using Proclaim to offer our clients a superior costs service, measured by the amount of costs recovered and the speed of this recovery. Features such as having all cases centralised so that relevant case handlers can work on each others? files (e.g. during holiday periods) are invaluable. In addition, the ability to automatically generate management reports on a weekly basis ? with no human intervention ? means that we can provide up-to-date information on details such as settlement figures to help clients maximise their cashflow.?
Just Costs has also been able to tailor Proclaim to provide bespoke functionalities in terms of how the firm wishes to run and monitor its cases. For example, a sophisticated rebuttal engine is enabled by the use of a ?twin screen? system, the first screen displaying case file data within Proclaim, the second screen displaying a library of the latest costs rulings and judgements which fee earners can access instantly for negotiation purposes.
A key element of the Proclaim system is the way in which it can provide a ?virtual contact? with business partners and complementary organisations. Just Costs offers a free ?file pick up? service for clients, using its own van and driver to ensure speed and security. However, when the firm forged a relationship with another Proclaim user, The Compensation Lawyers, in early 2006, they investigated electronic file transfer methods. Paul Shenton explains the benefits:
?The Compensation Lawyers can send files to us automatically as soon as they are settled, meaning that our fee earners can commence work immediately ? there is effectively zero lead time. Other manual operations are of course now automated ? for example, there is no need to produce a manual Document of Instruction ? which all combines to cut the time taken to progress cases.?
Nick Davis, Principal at The Compensation Lawyers, agrees:
?For us, being able to hit a button and instantly send our files to be costed is a huge benefit. The speed advantages are obvious, but little things such as being able to keep control of the file (which in the ?old days? would have physically left the premises) just in case extra work is needed, are extremely convenient.?
Proclaim enables Just Costs to offer a state-of-the art service to its clients by focusing on those things critical to a firm?s financial performance ? speed of information transfer and speed of costs recovery. To reiterate the firm?s philosophy, Proclaim provides the solid foundation from which Just Costs can completely remove the stresses associated with costs recovery for its clients.
Involved in the PI sector? Nominations for the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards close 6 September. Nominate now! http://bit.ly/1Xhbjw