Edited by Nicola Harlow (24-11-2014)
The PMS Criminal Block Contracting (CDS) Module is an all-encompassing Module designed to facilitate all aspects of your CDS Franchise requirements.
Before using the module for the first time, there are a few areas of setting up that need to be performed.
Once the initial set up is complete, the module will allow you to allocate a UFN to a matter,giving you the option to either accept the next number in sequence, or, if you have allocated blocks of numbers to your Bill Earners, the next sequential number for that Bill earner. If you manually enter a number already in use you will get a warning message to that effect and will have to enter another number.
You will then be able to Time Record on your Matters, and change the Legal Aid Rates that apply as the Case progresses through the Investigations Stage and onto the Proceedings Stage.
Once the Investigations Stage has completed, the system will produce for you a CDS11 Claim Form, picking up all relevant Investigations related Time, any Mileage that has accrued and any other Disb (whether Paid or Anticipated) that are relevant to that stage of work.
Once the Proceedings Stage has completed, the system will then produce for you either a CDS11 or a CDS7 depending on whether the Core Costs exceed the Higher Limit, or other factors apply. If a CDS11 is produced, where applicable, the system will apply the appropriate Standard Fee for that total of Core Costs.
At the end of October, the system will allow you to produce a FR1 Report for submission to the Legal Services showing the total number of file reviews performed over the previous months and an internal summary breakdown report of all the file reviews.
To finish off the month’s work, the system will then produce for you your CDS6. Every CDS11 that was produced during the month will be automatically brought through to this report, the total of any File Reviews and a breakdown of your Court Duty Session work.
Before your Accounts Department finalise their Month End Procedure, they will then be able to Post and Pay each claim with one simple posting, and then do a Debit Posting to their “Legal Services Account” for the total claims amount to contra the Bank Account posting entry from processing the claims.