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UK Defence Club and Control of Costs

The UK Defence Club has always strived to provide the best advice for Members, drawing on the expertise of its claims handlers and the range of advisors it instructs. In 2002, the Managers launched the Value for Money (VfM) initiative, which involved guidelines for both claims handlers and external advisors. Central to this initiative is the retention of the most appropriate supplier for any given case and ensuring that value and focus on the ultimate outcome are always paramount considerations. This continues to be, particularly relevant, in a climate where the costs of litigation particularly in the UK have increased rapidly in recent years.

In order to better control those costs and, at the same time, maintain the level of service provided to the membership, the VfM initiative is now moving to its next stage with the signing of a contract with US software supplier DataCert Inc. DataCert Inc is the world's leading supplier of legal e-billing and legal spend management software. Together with the UK P & I Club, Through Transport Club and Dex Serv, who all employ the OASIS claims management IT system and Claimstrac, the software will be used to better manage and control the VfM process. The Managers of all four Clubs have recently met with 29 UK law firms to explain its use and benefits. Currently a pilot is being run with five English law firms, one set of barristers chambers and two US firms, in order to understand how best to use the software.

Members will be kept informed of any developments. In the meantime, any questions or comments about VfM and DataCert can be addressed to the Managers at tmdefence@thomasmiller.com.