Category and Complexity

Category and Complexity - Introduction 

  • In CMS the service standard equates to the category (1, 2, or 3) and the workbasket equates to the complexity (whether the case is to be settled by AO, EO, HEO or SEO)
  • When you manually change the  category or complexity, the CMS does not recognise the relationship between category (service standard) and complexity (workbasket)
  • If you are changing the category of a case manually you must also ensure it goes to the correct workbasket
  • If you are manually moving a case to a workbasket, you must also ensure the category matches

The workbaskets for plans and legal settle are as follows:

Map Standard Plans AO
Map AdvancedPlans EO
Map AuthorityPlans HEO
Register StandardLegal EO
Register AdvancedLegal HEO 
Register AuthorityLegal SEO

CMS reflects the previous service standards set by RoS: 20 days for a category 1 case, and 130 days for a category 2 or 3 case. The current service standard for all First Registrations is 35 days but this is not reflected in the original CMS FR platform. For this reason, the CMS will not allow you to change the category from 2 or 3 down to category 1.

Additionally, the CMS can recognise a limited number of characteristics in a case which affect the category and complexity for example application type, deed type, form type. APR's, Contracts of Excambion, General Vesting Declarations and dual registrations with Sasines therefore are all made category 3 by CMS and the category on CMS cannot be changed on these. CMS can also recognise information added at the plans stage for example Research Area information and number of burdens deeds. Again, where plans have indicated on CMS that the case is not part of a Research Area and has over four burdens deeds (previously three) the case will have been made a category 3 by CMS and the category on CMS cannot be changed on these.

You can view the category and service standard of a case in the case 360.

There are several ways you can change the category and complexity on a CMS case. You can change the category and complexity using the drop down actions menu or as part of the settle process.

Changing the category downwards

Changing the category upwards

Automatic categorisation and routing for Legal Settle in CMS

The CMS can recognise a limited number of characteristics in a case which affect the category and complexity for Legal Settle for example application type, deed type, form type. APR's, Contracts of Excambion, General Vesting Declarations and dual registrations with Sasines therefore are all made category 3 and Register Advanced for Legal Settle by CMS and the category on CMS cannot be changed on these. CMS can also recognise information added at the plans stage for example Research Area information and number of burdens deeds. Where plans have indicated on CMS that the case is not part of a Research Area and has over four burdens deeds (previously three) the case will have been made a category 3 and Register Advanced for Legal Settle by CMS and the category on CMS cannot be changed on these.

The categorisation for Legal Settle takes place as the case leaves the Plans settler. The allocation to the appropriate Legal Settle workbasket takes place as the case leaves the Reg. Prepper.

Where a plans settler releases a case to Legal Settle they should set the appropriate category for Legal Settle on LRS, submit the case on CMS, check the category allocated to the case by CMS and use Team Leader permissions on CMS to change this if necessary.

Where a Reg. Prep. person releases a case to Legal Settle they should submit the case on CMS,  check that the workbasket chosen by CMS matches the category on LRS and use Team Leader permissions on CMS to change this if necessary.


The information on this page relates to the Original CMS FR platform. For guidance relating to the LR CMS, see CMS Resources

Registers of Scotland (RoS) seeks to ensure that the information published in the 2012 Act Registration Manual is up to date and accurate but it may be amended from time to time.
The Manual is an internal document intended for RoS staff only. The information in the Manual does not constitute legal or professional advice and RoS cannot accept any liability for actions arising from its use.
Using this website requires you to accept cookies. More information on cookies.
Feedback