Transaction management tool
First Claim
1. A fee estimation tool for a professional services firm for estimating the cost of a new matter, such as litigation and/or employee tribunal, the tool being operable to identify details of billed amounts for like, but completed matters and determine an estimate of the cost for the new matter using the billed amounts for the like, but completed matters.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A management tool for a professional services firm that is operable to use historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed matters to provide useful management information. More specifically, the tool is operable to determine an estimate for a new matter using the historical billing information; calculate the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner for that new matter in order to meet an estimated fee, again, using the historical billing information and provide an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter. The tool is also operable to provide a report that includes a plot of costs incurred as a function of time for the historical information and the new live matter, so that a direct comparison can be made, as well as information relating to historical costs and current costs, and a billing analysis.
-
Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A fee estimation tool for a professional services firm for estimating the cost of a new matter, such as litigation and/or employee tribunal, the tool being operable to identify details of billed amounts for like, but completed matters and determine an estimate of the cost for the new matter using the billed amounts for the like, but completed matters.
- 9. A management tool for a professional services firm, the tool being operable to identify details of fees for professional hours billed and the grade or category of fee earners involved for a plurality of like, but completed matters, and use this information to determine what percentage of the total fee from the hours billed is provided by each grade or category of fee earner involved.
- 12. A management tool for a professional services firm, the tool being operable to identify details of billed amounts for like, but completed matters, including an average cost and duration, and use this information to provide an indication of what costs are incurred at what stage of a matter.
-
17. A management tool for a professional services firm that is operable to use historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed to calculate the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner for a new, but similar matter in order to meet an estimated fee using the historical billing information and provide an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter.
-
18. A management tool for a professional services firm that is operable to use historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed matters to determine an estimate for a new matter;
- calculate the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner for that new matter in order to meet an estimated fee using the historical billing information and provide an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter.
-
19. A management tool for a professional services firm that is operable to use historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed matters to determine estimates for a new matter;
- calculate the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner needed for that new matter in order to adhere to a specified profit margin and provide an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter.
-
20. A method for providing management information for a professional services firm involving using historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed matters to determine estimates for a new matter;
- calculating the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner needed for that new matter in order to meet an estimated cost and providing an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter.
-
21. A method for providing management information for a professional services firm involving using historical billing information for a plurality of like, but completed matters to determine estimates for a new matter;
- calculating the number of professional hours and grade of fee earner needed for that new matter in order to adhere to a specified profit margin and providing an indication of the cost as a function of time for both the historical matters and the new matter.
Specification