2018 has been a year to remember for Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd (CTTC Ltd). From featuring in the Parliamentary Review to introducing innovative and ground-breaking features into our legal document drafting Software, Countrywide Legacy. We take a look back at our highlights of the year.
Parliamentary Review
Pictured above are Countrywide Directors Bob Massey BSc DipPFS TEP (left)
and Clive Ponder BSc (Hons) CEng FIMMM TEP (right).
Back in March, CTTC Ltd were chosen to feature in the 2018 publication of The Parliamentary Review, Law & Justice Edition, alongside Prime Minister Theresa May, Joe Egan, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond.
We were recognised as a leading figure in the legal sector, by the essential guide to industry best practice, which aims to share knowledge and raise standards.
Speaking on Countrywide’s involvement in The Parliamentary Review, Director Clive Ponder said:
“It is a true reflection of the hard work and commitment of our staff to be chosen. We have always strived to be an example for best practice across the industry, and we will continue to provide technological advancements through our Will writing Software, Countrywide Legacy, to make this possible for ourselves and others who want to improve productivity and customer service.”
The Parliamentary Review was sent to over half a million leading policy makers, stakeholders in industry and other relevant individuals. The articles in the Review act as both a blueprint for success and a template for reform.
Countrywide Legacy Software
Our legal document drafting Software has gone from strength to strength this year, with the number of users increasing by 25%. This increase has been largely due to the introduction of our innovative Packages and features
Paperless Package
Our Paperless Package has enabled users to be 100% paperless.
With the Paperless Package our advisors can:
- Automatically generate their Terms of Business, Receipt and Rights to Cancel at the touch of a button.
- Automatically produce a receipt personalised with their prices, detailing VAT, any OPG fees or de minimis costs.
- The Software creates a document called a Client Disclaimer during the instruction taking process summarising client’s decisions. Specifically, the Disclaimer highlights risk and areas of concern such as tax implications or if storage isn’t ordered, ensuring best practice is followed.
Electronic Signatures
It appears that e-signatures will become much more prevalent within the legal sector following the comments of the Law Commission this year, which stated electronic signatures are as valid as handwritten ones, whether it is a typed name or a single click of a button.
Countrywide Legacy was one step ahead and was the first legal document drafting software in the Will writing industry to harness the technology for electronic signatures.
Our software allows our advisors clients to have complete flexibility on where and when they would like to sign:
- In the meeting with our advisor (directly sign into the Countrywide Legacy software).
- In the client’s own time (they will receive an email directing them to a secure website where they can sign electronically, meaning our advisor does not need to be present).
What difference has this had on our advisors and their business?
- Secure – audit trail of when documents were signed, where they were signed and who’s viewed them. Also, any attempts to tamper with the client’s signature are clearly visible.
- Quicker turnaround time – our advisors do not need to print, post and scan as everything is done electronically, resulting in a better service for their clients.
- Increased business – with the amount of time saved, advisors can focus on “high value” activities, such as advise more clients, meaning more profit.
Larke v Nugus Package
The number of people contemplating contesting a Will has dramatically increased. Cases involving disputed Wills very often feature a Larke v Nugus statement which is prepared by the Solicitor or Will Writer who originally drafted the disputed Will or witnessed its execution.
We all know when you receive a Larke v Nugus request, it is exceptionally time consuming to deal with, even if you have all the necessary information to hand and can remember everything that happened at the time! This is why we have created a brand new Larke v Nugus Package in conjunction with an experienced leading contentious probate Solicitor, Martin Holdsworth (pictured below).
The Package allows you to compile all the required information and complete the request, at the touch of a button. Thus means you are better prepared when that disclosure and statement request lands. There is no doubt that this will help reduce claims and problems for both you and your clients as you will have all the relevant information available.
Additionally, our Larke v Nugus Packages works for clients with existing Wills and those who are having new Wills drafted.
Click here to see how it works and to find out more.
Looking forward to 2019!
The New Year as always promises to be a busy one for us as we continue to develop our cutting edge estate planning strategies and the Countrywide Legacy Software.
Electronic Direct Debits
In the first quarter of 2019, we will be launching electronic direct debits. Advisors will be able to set-up direct debits for their client’s storage and orders directly from the Software and these can be signed electronically.
CRM
Our Customer Relationship Management system will allow advisors to manage all of their client interactions, which will help them run their business more efficiently.
Here are just some of the CRM features:
- A calendar which advisors can use to make appointments
- Marketing emails
- Finance Sheet
Conclusion
We look forward to continuing working with existing businesses in 2019 and help our advisors maximise efficiency and reduce costs whilst still providing best advice and bespoke documents for clients.
