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How do I link a case?

When a new case is added onto eCase you have the opportunity to search for any cases that are similar in nature to it. This can be through the key terms used or the contact details. It allows you to view historical information, provide consistent responses or see where multiple requests have been made by the same correspondent.

To view similar cases and link them to your new case, follow the steps below.

1. Sign into eCase. Refer to the How to Sign into eCase section.
2. Go to your Workbasket and click on the Manage link, in the Actions column, for the case you would like to check if there are any similar cases to link to. Or, create a new case.
3. On the left menu, click on the Linked Cases (0) link. The number in brackets displays the number of cases already linked to your case. If there are any Linked Cases, you will see these in the Linked Cases area.
   
   
   
   

   Field	Description
   Case	Will provide the case reference number as a link that you can click on to view the case details. It will tell you whether the case is closed, complete, open or reopened.
   Link Type	Select from one of the Link Types by clicking on the drop down arrow. These will allow you to categorise the significance of the link. Normal: no priority to the linked case. Simultaneous Release: the linked case holds information that is of wider public interest and should be published at the same time as responding to the original correspondent. Priority Case: Use to link a case so that the case shows on the banner on the Case Details screen. Previous Correspondence: use to show that the linked case is previous correspondence from the same person. Related – Information only: the case that is linked has related information in it. NOTE a banner will appear at the top of most of the screens if a case has any of the link types other than Normal.
   Comment	Add a free format text comment to say why the case has been linked. Once saved, the speech bubble will appear next to the case reference number . To view the comment, hover over the speech bubble.
   Correspondence	Review all of the correspondence documents that are attached to the linked case.
   Responses	Review the response document for any closed or reopened cases.
   Remove Link	Click on the remove link to delete the linked case.
   Edit Links	Click on the edit links link to update information on the linked cases.

4. Review any similar cases in the Suggestions for Linked Cases area. Click on the Case Ref number to review the case details and the links to the Correspondence and Response documentation.
   
   NOTE to search for additional cases, click on the search for cases link. This will automatically take you to the Case Search screen. Refer to the How to search for a case section for details of how the Case Search screen works.
5. To link a case, place a tick in the Select tick box.
6. Click on the Link Selected button to add the selected case to the Linked Cases area.
7. Select the Link Type by clicking on the drop down arrow.
8. Add in a comment in the Comment field as to why the case has been linked. Click on the Save button.
   
   TIP If you do not want to save the comment, click on the Cancel Changes link prior to clicking on the Save button.
   Anyone reviewing the case will now see that there are cases relevant to this case Linked Cases (3) and will see the priority of the cases on a banner at the top of the majority of the case screens.