The verdict in three sentences
A firm managing files in Excel and paper misses deadlines and wastes time searching for information. Custom case management software centralizes files, procedural calendar, conflict-of-interest checks and confidentiality for 2,000,000 to 6,500,000 DZD in 2026, delivered in 10 to 16 weeks. The main gain is measurable: file lookup time cut threefold and missed deadlines brought to zero.
Scope and budget of custom case management
The core of the software isn't billing but control of the file: who does what, by when, with which documents. 2026 order of magnitude for a firm:
| Module | Role | 2026 budget (DZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Case management | Client record, history, documents | 700,000 - 1,800,000 |
| Calendar / procedural deadlines | Deadline alerts, hearings | 500,000 - 1,200,000 |
| Conflict-of-interest check | Verification before opening | 300,000 - 800,000 |
| Confidential vault | Compartmented access, encryption | 400,000 - 1,100,000 |
| Billing & fees | Retainers, fee notes | 400,000 - 1,000,000 |
| Partner reporting | Workload, files per lawyer | 300,000 - 700,000 |
Compliant hosting and maintenance at around 15%/year of the project should be planned from scoping.
Before / after: what the firm gains
Benefits are measured in deadlines met and hours recovered, not theoretical comfort.
| Indicator | Before (Excel/paper) | After (custom) |
|---|---|---|
| Finding a file | 8 - 12 min | 2 - 3 min |
| Missed deadlines / year | 4 - 8 | 0 - 1 |
| Conflict check | Manual, uncertain | Automatic, logged |
| Monthly billing time | 2 days | 0.5 day |
| Workload visibility per lawyer | None | Real-time dashboard |
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Mini case study
Me Belkacem, partner at a 6-lawyer firm, manages 340 active files. His staff spend on average 10 min finding a file, several times a day, totaling about 500 hours/year. The custom software (budget 3,800,000 DZD) cuts lookup to 2-3 min, freeing ~350 hours/year. On top, 3 avoided deadlines, each potentially costing a case or a client's trust. The payback lands in about 18 months on recovered time alone.
FAQ
Is the conflict-of-interest check reliable? Yes: when opening a file, the software cross-checks opposing parties against existing clients and blocks or alerts automatically. It is a 300,000 - 800,000 DZD module.
Does data stay confidential? The confidential vault compartments access per file and encrypts documents. Hosting can be chosen to meet your local obligations.
How long to deploy? 10 to 16 weeks depending on module count, starting with case management and the procedural calendar.
Can existing data be migrated? Yes, importing active files from Excel is planned; budget a migration phase based on data cleanliness.
What is the maintenance cost? Around 15%/year of the project, i.e. 570,000 DZD/year on a 3,800,000 DZD project, fixes and enhancements included.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your lawyer count, active files and case types: we'll price the right scope. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
