Features and benefits

This is the core engine of the system. It allows the key engagement steps to be captured, for example, the scope of the work, the selection of the best provider or even a quotation process where relevant. The Matter status is updated, variations to an agreed delivery date or financial budget can be requested and approved. Both interim and final bills are submitted via e-billing while all dialogue between the Matter Manager and the lawyer is recorded in this central, shared space. Key outcomes from this area include well-informed lawyer selection; use star-ratings, up-to-date CVs and key personnel records to help you make your decision. Receive up-front warnings of anomalies and alerts when things go awry. Your Providers can expect faster payment on invoices with fixed price agreements with automatic invoice approval and you see benefits from choosing the right type of payment: fixed price, capped price or hourly billing. Become efficient; manage your risks; get high quality and increased visibility for all your Matters.

Matter Managers will be proactively exposed to previous advices for similar Matters. Promoting this information will allow them to make well-informed decisions about the management of their current Matter with less dependence on individual experience in that portfolio. Matter Managers and lawyers with experience in similar Matters can be easily identified for referral and advice.

As the Matter Managers are exposed to a wider range of advices from varying lawyers, they will be able to complete the Quality surveys in a more consistent manner with high quality data. This in turn will feed back into the lawyers’ performance, promoting better quality advice.

Greater access to information provides better outcomes and promotes the ability to utilise the system as a central data repository storing all relevant information on in-house lawyers and Panel Provider firms with their Key Personnel. Ease of access provides greater efficiency and more time to spend on Matter Management while the ability to match Matters to experienced personnel creates better Matter outcomes Data in a central repository is easier to maintain and the system can ensure information remains current through alerts and reminders. As the system begins to function as a central knowledge bank, it offers reduced risk that a staff member leaving will have a negative impact on Matter outcomes.

Understand the true cost of a matter

• Provide ability to analyse the costs of engaging a lawyer against the financial outcome of the Matter
• The time spent by Matter Managers on a Matter can also be incorporated to draw out any correlation between outcomes and the time spent on a Matter
• Predict potential Matter outcome and costs based on similar historical Matters
• Provide greater accuracy in the setting and maintenance of Matter reserves
• Configure management warnings and notifications when Matter costs exceed waypoint percentages of the cost cap or reserve
• Provide greater visibility and flexibility in reporting Matter outcomes

Interfaces to Financial Management Systems

• Purchase orders can be raised for initial costs and subsequent numbers created for variations
• Billing information to sent through to Accounts Payable

Invoice processing

• RCTI invoices raised through YarrisLegal
• Reconciliation completed automatically

Authorisation and financial governance

• Automatic flow for authorisation according to delegations / authority