DEC 07 - LSC CIVIL & CRIMINAL SOFTWARE ENHANCEMENTS
SOS is pleased to confirm that the latest release of its software now includes a host of enhancements to support all the latest LSC Civil and Criminal Contract changes.
An outline of the changes are as follows:
SOS ENHANCEMENTS FOR LSC CIVIL CASES:
Database:
At contact level:
Disability Indicator (List of New LSC options)
Postcode – Option to create as Mandatory field
Client Forename – Option to create as Mandatory field
Client Surname - Option to create as Mandatory field
UCN (Unique Client Number) Made up of date of birth/client initial/first 4 chars of surname – This is calculated on the fly when the return is done based in information in the database
At matter level:
Revised Span Codes/Staged Reached and Outcome details (List of New LSC options)
UFN (Unique File Number) – Option to create this on dedicated Legal Aid screen
Time Recording:
Existing option to export Legal Aid rates to excel – update them and re-import
Billing:
There have been significant changes in the billing routine for Civil Controlled work to accommodate the new Fee schemes introduced on 1st October:
There are now 4 new Fee schemes which in the case of Family/Immigration involve a matrix of Fees to be selected depending on the type of case being dealt with.
The Different Schemes for Remuneration
The 4 schemes for Civil controlled work are:
1. Tailored Fixed Fees Replacement Scheme
2. Graduated Fees for Family and Care Proceedings
3. Graduated Fees for Mental Health – this does not start until Jan 2008 but all work done to accommodate this scheme
4. Graduated Fees for Immigration and Asylum
A new maintenance option to hold all the necessary fees has been created:
Reporting:
From 1st October 2007 (please note this date has now been put back- new date to be advised by LSC) it is a contractual requirement to submit all claims online. To this end the XML file produced from SOS has been modified to the LSC requirements.
To produce this the user goes into a menu option and clicks on the XML export option. The file produced is in exactly the correct format to upload electronically using the LSC bulk-load routine. All necessary data pertaining to the matter/bill has been collected and stored from matter details or in the bill record:
ENHANCEMENTS FOR LSC CRIMINAL CASES:
LSC POLICE STATION FIXED FEES - EXPLANATION OF CHANGES
The introduction of Police Station Fixed Fee follows on from Lord Carter’s review of legal aid procurement.
Fixed fees will be introduced for legal aid work in the Police Station from January 2008. They will cover all work undertaken on cases, including travel and waiting, although disbursements will continue to be paid separately. The new fees are based on local areas.
Appropriate Police Station and Duty Solicitor work begun on or after 14th January 2008 will be within the fee scheme. To fully support Police station fixed fees, the following has been added to SOS Connect:
LEGAL AID POLICE STATIONS
This new maintenance icon contains a list of all the Police Station codes, as listed by the LSC, which in turn are linked to the Police Scheme Identifier.
There should be no requirement to amend/add to this list unless new or amended codes are released by the LSC.. |
LEGAL AID POLICE STATION SCHEME IDENTIFIER
This new Maintenance icon contains a list of the Police Station Scheme Identifier codes as listed by the LSC.
Behind each code is the Fixed Fee and Escape threshold for that geographical area which will come into force on 14th January 2008. |
LEGAL AID COURT CODES
This new Maintenance icon contains a list of the Court Codes as listed by LSC.
These codes will be used to set up the Legal Aid FE Attendance Locations for your Firm.
There should be no requirement to amend/add to this list unless new or amended codes are released by the LSC. |
LEGAL AID FEE ATTENDANCE LOCATIONS
The Legal Aid FE Attendance Locations should contain a list of the Court and/or Police Station codes specific to your firm. (These will then populate the drop down options within the Matter Legal Aid tab). |
ACCESS RIGHTS
New Access rights included in this patch are:
MATTER LEGAL AID TAB
The Matter Legal Aid tab has been re-arranged in order that the Police Station and/or Court Codes can be set and calculate the correct Fixed Fee and/or Escape Fee on completion of the CDS11. Setting the codes in here will automatically pull them through to the time recording screen and the CDS11.
LOCATION FIELD
Within the Posting Time screen for Criminal matters the Location field will be populated by default with the Police Station and/or Court Codes set within the Matter Legal Aid tab.
CDS6
On production of the CDS6 all the required new fields will be populated.
The Crystal Report CDS6 is no longer available.
You must produce the XML file for upload to the LSC electronically. If you have not registered to do this you should contact the LSC as soon as possible to arrange registration:
