LM2014 said:
Hmm ok. I was asking because my Ecas status changed about 2 weeks before I received the PPR - and then I found out VCM sent it over a month late as the date on the letter was 26th August.
Also, I raised a CSE the day before I received it.. maybe give it a try?
As per my assessment, everyone who doesn't hear anything after passing of long time or lets say 1-2 months, should send CSE every 30-40 days because in the end the VOs and their Program Assistants (RIH, MCH, VCM, LBM etc) are all human beings and they might forget and ignore the due date without taking any action. Therefore, whenever you send CSE they are forced to look at your file and when they find that due date; let us say to send MR was 2nd Oct 2015 and they forgot to send you MR on 2nd Oct 2015 and today is 12th Oct 2015, so if today they have received your CSE so immediately next day you will get the MR. In several cases it has happened and the witnesses are present on the main FSWP2014 thread.
Otherwise, if they have not forgotten and missed any of your application's process deadlines, they will simply send you the message that "in queue waiting for an officer to look at it".
Similarly, GCMS notes forces the Visa Officer and their Program Assistants to open your file and if they have missed any deadline to request any updated form or to send MR etc., they immediately do it.
Therefore, in conclusion my assessment is that CSE and GCMS notes at least ensure that your case will not get delayed or forgotten due to human errors of staff working at LVO or any other visa office.
Therefore, whosoever is waiting for more then one month without hearing any news should send CSE and similarly request GCMS notes every 3-months. This advice I got from some of the professional lawyers and immigration consultants.