Tier 2 General- Query around Live COS

[kashish]

Hi there, was wondering if someone could help out with few of my queries. I am currently on ICT Tier 2 dependent visa and working for an organization here in UK since October 2013. Currently my visa is valid till middle of March 2015, and due to some internal policy in my husbands company they are unable to extend his ICT Tier 2 application. Although my current sponsor cannot provide COS so that i can switch to Tier 2 General category, but yesterday i got confirmation from another employer "X" that they have completed the RLMT test and will be applying for a COS by 5th of Feb 2015.

Following are my queries:
1> I understand that there can be just one live COS at a time, so if a COS is assigned to me by the employer "X" by 12/13th of Feb and in the meantime another organization "Y" is due to complete a RLMT test by 13th Feb and confirm offer to me. What would be the best way for me if i wanted to join organization "Y" as by the time organization "Y" will extend a conditional offer letter to me, COS issued by organization X would be live?
2> What would happen if organization Y applies for a COS before 5th March 2015 while COS filed by 5th of Feb 2015 by organization X is still active? Does the previous COS automatically gets cancelled/invalidated?
3> Once i get offer confirmation from organization Y, will sending an email to organization X declining the offer suffice and allow organization Y to issue new COS without any issues. If yes, how would i know that the COS is cancelled by organization X? Any idea how much time it takes for an employer to cancel a COS?

I do understand that i would have to apply for Tier 2 General from my home country, so i would be resigning from my existing company in 2 weeks , provide a notice of 1 month and go back to India and apply for Tier 2 General visa.

Any help/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[The Station Agent]

I don't have time to read your rather confusing post in great detail but I know that once a CoS has been activated it comes up as "used" on the system, so another sponsor can then issue a new CoS with dates that overlap the first one. The only circumstance when the dates can't overlap is when neither CoS has been activated. The system stops the sponsor issuing a CoS if there is another unused one with overlapping dates.

[kashish]

thanks for the reply.I am doubtful at what stage a COS is considered to be live or used?
By unused COS you mean
1> Application for restricted COS approved by UKBA (now COS is ready to be assigned)-is it unused at this stage?
2> Approved restricted COS assigned to a candidate by the employer using SMS. - is it unused at this stage?
3> VISA application is submitted along with the COS by the candidate?

[kashish]

Would really appreciate if someone could clarify my doubts please...