This article was originally published on 08/06/2022.
Staff in law firms have to stay on top of a mountain of information that accumulates from clients, staff, and legal processes themselves. Luckily, legal case management software provides an answer to keeping track of everything.
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Employers and founders have a wide range of options to choose from when selecting suitable legal case management software. However, selecting the best solution that fits the unique set-up of a small-to-medium law firm can seem daunting at first. There are many options available from different providers.
To help make it easier to choose, we’ve looked over the tools reviewers on GetApp in the legal profession rated most highly. From this, we have picked 4 of the best legal case management systems according to their ranking.
Our list includes a selection of options that can help small-to-medium law businesses get organised and manage a range of tasks within a single tool.
To be featured on our list, businesses had to:
- Have an overall score of 4.1 / 5 stars or above from GetApp users in the legal services industry
- Have received at least 10 reviews from legal service professionals between May 2021 to May 2022.
- Meet our market definition for legal case management software.
Our full methodology is detailed at the bottom of this article.
What are case management systems for law firms?
Case management systems for law firms are programs that UK firms use to manage their caseloads with better effectiveness. Whilst they sometimes come built into complete legal software suites with multiple inbuilt functions, they are sometimes also offered as standalone systems to give small business users better access to the individual functions required.
Using legal case management systems allows legal teams to simplify a mix of essential tasks to keep a law firm running smoothly. These help with elements such as managing client data, tracking and invoicing billable time, and customer relationship management (CRM).
However, to really answer the question of what is a legal case management system, it is important to consider the functionality that legal experts seek from using it.
Case management software usually includes the following common features:
- Client databases
- Invoicing and billing tools
- Time tracking
- Calendar management
- Trust accounting
- Docket management
- Expense tracking
- Contract management
What are the benefits of legal case management systems for UK businesses?
There are many reasons that legal SMEs in the UK may choose to introduce a case management system into their practice.
Firstly, a legal case management system gives individual solicitors in legal offices and company managers better visibility and control over the workload of specific cases. This helps to improve the efficiency and internal organisation of the business.
Case management software can also play a big part in reducing risk within a company by providing key stakeholders with vital, up-to-date files and reminders to ensure the correct information for legal practitioners is available and provided punctually. This in turn builds better customer relationships and improves client satisfaction.
Lastly, a major benefit is improved data security. Cyber attacks pose a major threat to any business, however, with legal firms where confidential client information is a factor, this protection is especially important.
What are the best legal case management systems in the UK?
Case management software for legal companies varies in size and complexity. Some options available offer a broad mix of essential legal functionalities whilst others offer more bespoke solutions.
The necessities that best suit an individual small business will vary depending on the circumstances. For expanding companies it may be better to have a wider selection of tools. On the other hand, small practices that are just starting out may only need the most basic of features.
In the list below, we examine four top-rated case management systems available for UK SMEs according to legal services sector reviews on GetApp.co.uk.
1.
- Ease of use: 4.7 / 5
- Customer service: 4.7 / 5
- Features: 4.5 / 5
- Value for money: 4.7 / 5
MyCase is an all-in-one application for legal case management and other essential law office organisational tasks. It provides a suite of tools to help manage various functions of running a legal practice. Some of its modules include time tracking, document management, and reporting.
It also provides systems that let users monitor workflows, manage internal and outgoing communications, and organise schedules from a centralised portal. Additionally, MyCase also offers CRM tools and a built-in payment management platform that allows invoices to be prepared, sent to clients, and followed up via reminders.
MyCase offers a 10-day free trial to let users familiarise themselves before purchasing. After which they can choose from its Basic, Pro, and Advanced packages.
The Basic subscription includes most standard functions, whilst the Pro plan additionally includes features such as custom fields, client intake management tools, and advanced billing. The Advanced tier, on the other hand, includes all available features and is bundled with MyCase Drive which adds additional cloud storage and document synchronisation functionality.
Notable features:
- Billable items tracking
- CRM
- Customisable reports
- Workflow management
2.
- Ease of use: 4.7 / 5
- Customer service: 4.6 / 5
- Features: 4.5 / 5
- Value for money: 4.6 / 5
PracticePanther is another tool where multiple functions of legal operations management are grouped together in a single portal.
It aims to simplify and speed up the process of case management with a toolbox of features to keep deadlines on track, monitor billable time and expenses, and manage the invoicing of clients.
Additionally, PracticePanther lets users try out its legal case management software free in the UK, with a 7-day trial period before a monthly or annual subscription is needed. Upgrade options include their Solo, Essential and Business tiers.
The Solo plan includes core features such as notifications, task and event workflows, and billable time and expense tracking. Essential includes all the tools featured in the Solo package and adds extras like custom fields and multiple bank accounts. Business, however, includes all of the items included with Solo and Essential as well as LEDES billing, intake forms, and native eSignature.
Notable features:
- Billing and invoicing
- Customisable forms
- Project time tracking
- Real-time reporting
3.
- Ease of use: 3.9 / 5
- Customer service: 4 / 5
- Features: 3.9 / 5
- Value for money: 3.8 / 5
Leap offers a law firm management app that allows law practitioners to synchronise their work in one place and manage a multitude of different workplace tasks.
As with many other practice management software options for legal firms, the tool allows users to manage scheduling, invoicing, and centralise case notes. However, it also boasts compliance management and document generation optimised for legal case management in the UK too.
There is also full cloud support for the program as well as integration with a range of third-party apps such as Office 365, Xero and rapid pay. This is specially geared for hybrid working environments by incorporating messaging functionality and the ability to access and synchronise files securely on a personal device, so small law businesses can allow their staff to work either from home or in-office.
To try Leap out for yourself before making a purchase it is possible to book an online demonstration tailored to your company and its needs. For pricing information contact Leap directly.
Notable features:
- Compliance management
- Document generation
- Docket management
- Project time tracking
4.
- Ease of use: 4.3 / 5
- Customer service: 4.4 / 5
- Features: 4.4 / 5
- Value for money: 4.3 / 5
Filevine offers a customisable solution to law firms looking for case management solutions. This allows users to build a platform that’s best suited to their needs from the available toolset of apps offered by the company such as business analytics, lead management, or data migration.
The platform is available to use on desktop, mobile, or tablet devices. It also offers custom contact builders, reporting tools, and the ability to text or email from your open case files directly. For those who want to use it for more than just cases, it also functions as full legal practice management software as well.
There is also no free trial available, so it’s not possible to try the service out before you buy. However, prospective clients can get a free demo before committing to a purchase.
The basic Filevine Core package includes features like calendaring, automatic workflows, and the ability to email or text to and from case files. However, there are also optional upgrade tiers such as Docs+, Intakes, and Time and Billing which open up more tools related to their respective themes.
Notable features:
- Customer database
- Customisable forms
- Electronic signature
- Workflow management
What kind of software is used for case management?
Case management software is specifically designed so that legal professionals have the tools necessary to keep up-to-date records on clients and their case progress. It allows users to schedule their time effectively and keep a good view of ongoing tasks.
However, case management tools differ somewhat from other software applications used in the legal sector such as legal practice management software or legal document management software.
Using legal practice management software can prove most beneficial for practice managers in law firms as it gives users tools for administering the business. This can encompass the capacity to handle the many responsibilities of running a law practice such as accounting, human resources (HR), marketing, professional standards and general company organisation as well as case management.
Legal document management functionality is often present within case management tools. However, on its own, software for managing legal documents focuses more specifically on the filing, storage and management of essential forms, not just those relating to specific cases.
Methodology
To be considered for this list products need to meet the following criteria:
- Meet our legal case management software market definition: “Legal case management software allows lawyers, paralegals, and other law professionals to manage their daily operations. The tool helps process and store data related to cases and clients and improves collaboration between law firms and their clients.”
- Have received a minimum of 10 product reviews from users in the legal services industry on GetApp.co.uk between 1st May 2021 – 1st May 2022.
- Score 4.1 out of 5 stars or above
- Include the following core features: case notes, client management, and document management.
- Be available for use in the UK
Note: The content in this piece that provides opinions and points of view expressed by users does not represent the views of GetApp.
