First, I tried to log into the system. I had a username but the system does not allow you to request a password. Accordingly, having waited on the telephone for 15 minutes, I was eventually given a password and I set up a new account.

I started an application to amend a certificate – what used to be called a CLSAPP8, and I have fond memories of completing these in about 30 minutes. It is essentially a form amending the scope of an existing certificate.

Not so with the new system, which took me all of three hours and I didn’t manage to complete the process and successfully submit it.

The CCMS portal seemed to be fraught with issues. On the face of it, it still seems to be in embryonic format in terms of development and trialling. Annoying error messages pop up saying that the system is busy and at that point you have to stop work and simply wait.

It appears that the system does not have the correct amount of capacity for all of the users, despite the fact that relatively few providers are currently using the system.

I decided to give the system a break and come back after lunch. At long last, I completed the form. I tried to submit it, only to find that my account did not have authority to submit, but only to review and amend applications. I had to call the LAA again. They tried to give me assistance but I still could not submit and was faced by a barrage of new error messages. I called the LAA yet again and was told that I would have to wait four hours to submit.

At this point I gave up. I will try again tomorrow. Having worked on one simple application using very deficient software for the best part of a day, I do wonder what will happen in practice when this software is made compulsory.