FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is LegalEdge?

LegalEdge is an internet based (cloud) practice management application for Lawyers and Conveyancers.
LegalEdge combines Client Relationship Management (CRM) with matter management, document management and accounting. All client and supplier details, matter details and electronic documents (scanned files, emails, dictation files, photos, word or PDF documents etc.) are stored in the cloud. Time and disbursements, including online searches relating to a matter can be captured and billed. All activities are reflected in the built in Office, Trust and Payroll accounting modules.

2. What computer equipment do I need to be able to use LegalEdge?

You supply a computer (a laptop is perfect) and a broadband internet connection. No other IT equipment is necessary. Microsoft Word is required to edit documents. FireFox 4 (free) is our preferred browser.

3. Who owns LegalEdge?

LegalEdge is a software application owned by Legal First Pty Ltd. LegalEdge is published as a monthly subscription service. We allow unrestricted access to, and use of LegalEdge by the user named in the subscription login for the duration of a paid subscription period (calendar month to month). The end user is not bound by any contract period beyond one month. The current fee of $89 per named login is the complete subscription price (ex GST) for LegalEdge. When version 2 is released (anticipated in June 2011) the subscription will rise to $149 for new users. Existing users will be upgraded to version 2 and will be guaranteed the $89 subscription rate for life.

4. How often will I have to update the software?

Never.
We will maintain the software and apply upgrades as part of the subscription cost. You are always on the latest version.

5. What support will I get?

Simple Email and Skype based support is included. We also provide training material and 4 hours of face to face or online initial training. (Please note that if significant travel costs are involved we may ask that our travel costs be reimbursed). Extended help and training (via telephone, internet or face to face) is available on request. Our support rate is $180 per hour.

6. Does LegalEdge include precedent documents?

LegalEdge has a selection of “starter” templates for popular areas of law (Conveyancing, Litigation and Estates). These are supplied “as is”. We do not perform ongoing maintenance of these documents. You are allowed to customise these documents to suit your needs and we encourage you to create and upload your own precedents. We can create precedent documents for you at your request; however this is a chargeable service.
As part of the subscription we supply one receipt, one deposit slip and one cheque print layout per bank account. We also supply 3 Bill print layouts. All our documents are in MS Word format. You are allowed to copy and change them to suit your requirements.

7. Where is my data kept? Can I get a copy of my data? What happens to my data if I become unhappy with LegalEdge and I want to stop subscribing, or if LegalEdge goes out of business?

You own your data. Your data is hosted on our server which is housed in a professionally managed purpose built data centre. Your data is backed up every 24 hours to a second location. Your data is contained in a SQL database that is exclusive to you. The LegalEdge interface allows you to download a zipped copy of the database. The data format is open source (common) and requires no special tools to be read.
If you tell us that you want to stop using LegalEdge we will make your data available to you (on request). We will seek and require your written approval to then destroy our copy of your data.

8. What happens if I fall behind in my subscription payments?

Our payment terms specify that the subscription needs to be paid within 7 days of our invoice date for access to continue, however we will contact you and discuss options. Overdue subscribers will be able to access the system for a period of 30 days, however no support will be provided.

9. What professional performance and financial reports can I get from of LegalEdge?

The common performance reports (New Matters per month, Bills raised in Period, Active Matter List with WIP and Debtor balances etc.) and financial reports (Balance sheet, Profit & Loss, Aged Debtors, Aged Creditors, Trust Compliance Reports) are included as part of the subscription. They will render in MS Excel (2007+).

A premium reporting service (Class Reports) which features dashboards and graphs and renders on screen or in PDF or HTML format is available as an addition to the subscription (details available on request).

10. I use an external Accountant/Bookkeeper/Management Consultant. Can they access my data?

Yes. Give them a login.
We also have professionals on staff that can assist with accounting and management.

11. Is LegalEdge compliant with Trust and ATO regulations?

We warrant that to the best of our knowledge the application meets the compliance requirements for GST reporting, Trust accounting and PAYG Withholding as specified by State and Federal regulations. If any compliance defect is discovered in LegalEdge we will rectify the software as soon as possible.

12. Has LegalEdge been certified as compliant by the Law Society in my state?

The Law Society of NSW is the only Law Society in Australia (to the best of our knowledge) that offers to certify software as being compliant with Trust Accounting regulations. Other states usually rely on this certification. Certification is an expensive process and we have not submitted LegalEdge for certification at this time. It is our intention to get certification as soon as we can afford it. It is not mandatory for software to be certified by the Law society. The requirement is that the software complies with Trust regulations (see Q11). A number of our clients in NSW have passed trust inspections relying on LegalEdge.

13. What’s not included?

Online property search charges and SMS message charges originated by you are not included as part of the subscription. We will invoice you for these at the end of the calendar month. You undertake to pay our invoice for these charges within 30 days of invoice date.

It is our intent to act fairly and honestly at all times. We intend to build a reputation for timely service and products that are useful and enjoyable to use. We don’t tie you into a lengthy subscription contract because we believe that contracts only keep unhappy clients, and we want you to tell everyone how happy you are with us.

We value

* Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

* Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

* Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, the items on the left matter more.

If you have more questions, or you would like to try LegalEdge free for 30 days please contact us on:

Web: www.legaledge.com.au

Phone: 02 4323 1394

Skype: Legal.Edge

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it