e-Filing

interCOMM allows case documents to be filed electronically from any source in an open-standard format. That means a law firm could submit documents directly from their own case management systems at the press of a button. Forms can also be created using Adobe Acrobat and submitted via email, enabling the progression towards the vision of a paperless service.

Forms created by Visionhall are dynamic. Dynamic forms use logic and validation to guide the user. These intelligent forms are intuitive and reduce errors in the process. Data is managed within the form itself and by interCOMM's Formhandler before passing on into the system. We use our knowledge of the industry to help streamline common forms.

Documents submitted electronically bring significant efficiencies for both the law firm and the courts; there are fewer visits to the court, less duplicated effort re-keying data and importantly, less use of paper which is better for the environment.

Electronic filing will save hundreds of thousands of pages being printed every year.

The system performs all initial validation of the data provided and returns verified sealed documents almost immediately.

Information contained in the forms is automatically added to the relevant case. The automation the system provides allows staff to allot their time to specialised tasks associated with progressing cases, as opposed to spending significant amounts of time on administrative tasks.

The Process

1. The user fills the form in. As the forms are dynamic, depending on user selections, various areas of the form may appear or disappear, as an indicator to the user what sections need to be filled out.
2. Once the 'Submit' button is pressed, the form carries out its data validation, where it checks the required fields have been completed. These required fields are laid out in accordance with court rules.
3. If the form has been done to its satisfaction, the data is converted to xml and attached to a new email in Outlook, with a reminder to attach any requested documents. At this point, the user may either save the file to send using another email client, or send it directly from Outlook.
4. Data quality is managed by the server through the use of interCOMM's Formhandler. Here, registration numbers, case details and email addresses are all checked against the data within interCOMM. If any inconsistencies are discovered, an email informing the user of the error and requesting a correction is sent out automatically. If the data is good, the form is passed into interCOMM where court staff may review it before accepting it and having the system process it.
5. New information is automatically added to the case details. In the event of a new claim being filed, the new case is created by interCOMM.