Creating a Matter

Explanation

A Matter represents a unit of legal work associated with a client. It forms the core structure for organising documents, communications, billing, and activity within LawPage.

Each matter captures key attributes such as:

• Matter name
• Matter type
• Responsible case manager
• Risk assessment
• Funding status
• Associated participating entities (e.g. clients, instructing solicitors)

A matter must include at least one participating entity in a defined role (such as a lay client or instructing solicitor) before it is fully complete.

This structure reflects real-world legal workflows, where a matter cannot proceed without a clearly identified client or instructing party.

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Video walkthrough

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Getting Started

This section helps you create your first matter quickly.

Before you begin, ensure:

• You have access to the Matters module
• You are logged into LawPage

Create your first matter

1. Open the Matters menu
2. Select Add Matter
3. Enter:
   • Matter name
   • Matter type (e.g. General Advice)
4. Review default values (case manager defaults to current user)
5. Click Create

At this stage, the matter is created but not yet complete.

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How-To Guide

Objective

Create a new matter and associate a client entity.

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Step 1 — Create the matter

1. Navigate to Matters

2. Select Add Matter

3. Enter a Matter Name

4. Select a Matter Type

5. Enter a Description

6. Review and set the following fields:

   • Case Manager (defaults to current user)
   • Conflict Flag (e.g. Pending)
   • Funding Assurance (e.g. Pending)
   • Risk Level (e.g. Low)
   • Charging Scheme (e.g. Private)
   • Priority (e.g. Low)

7. Click Create

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Step 2 — Identify missing required information

After creation:

• The matter will display a warning indicator
• This indicates that a participating entity is required

A matter must include at least one lay client or instructing solicitor.

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Step 3 — Add a participating entity

1. Scroll to Participating Entities
2. Click the Add (+) button
3. Search for an existing entity

If the entity does not exist:

Step 4 — Create a new entity

1. Select Create New Entity

2. Enter:

   • Name (e.g. Joe Bloggs)
   • Entity Type (e.g. Human Being)
   • Default Role (e.g. Lay Client)

3. Complete required fields:

   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Sex (mandatory)
   • Pronoun (if applicable)

4. Click Create

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Step 5 — Associate entity with matter

1. Confirm entity details in the panel

2. Optionally enter:

   • Client reference
   • Purchase order reference
   • Invoice details
   • Notes

3. Set:

   • Default client flag (if appropriate)
   • Invoicing party flag (if appropriate)

4. Click Create

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Result

The matter is now:

• Fully created
• Linked to a client
• Ready for further work

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Reference

Core Fields

Field	Description	Notes
Matter Name	Identifier for the matter	Required
Matter Type	Categorisation of work	May default to unspecified
Description	Summary of work	Optional
Case Manager	Responsible user	Defaults to logged-in user
Conflict Flag	Conflict status	e.g. Pending
Funding Assurance	Funding status	e.g. Pending
Risk Level	Risk assessment	e.g. Low
Charging Scheme	Billing structure	e.g. Private
Priority	Importance level	e.g. Low

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Participating Entity Fields

Field	Description	Notes
Entity Type	Type of entity	e.g. Human
Role	Relationship to matter	e.g. Lay Client
First Name	Given name	Required
Last Name	Family name	Required
Sex	Biological sex	Mandatory field
Pronoun	Preferred pronoun	Optional but captured

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Validation Rules

• A matter can be created without a client but is not complete
• At least one participating entity must be added before proceeding
• Mandatory entity fields must be completed before creation
• Case manager defaults to the logged-in user

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System Behaviour

• Creating a matter without a participating entity triggers a warning indicator
• Creating a new entity automatically adds it to the address book
• Entity creation flows directly into matter association

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Notes

A matter represents the central unit of legal work and should be created early in the workflow to ensure proper tracking of activity, billing, and documentation.

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Warnings

A matter without an identified client or instructing party should not be progressed, as it may lead to incomplete records and operational risk.

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Compliance Notes

Confidentiality note: Ensure that client details are recorded within approved systems and handled in accordance with data protection requirements.

Supervision note: Matter creation should reflect accurate client relationships and responsibilities, particularly in supervised or team-based environments.