Adding clients

Clients are used to record the details of individuals and organisations in Practice Management.

Caution Take care when entering client details as, later, the information you type will be automatically extracted for use in letters and other documents.

The instructions below assume you are using automatic conflict checking. If you want to have manual control over conflict checking when adding a client, see Conflict checking.  

There are three types of client in ALB:

• Individual. An individual is a client that is an individual person.
• Organisation. An organisation is a client that is a company or other organisation. You can add directors and employees to an organisation at a later stage.
• Multiple. A multiple client is two clients that are linked. Multiple is, for example, used when adding a married or civil partnered couple to the system. Each client will have a unique client number but, when you add a matter for them, the two clients will be linked to the same matter.

Adding a client:

1. From Practice Management on the Home menu, click Add New Client. The Add New Client dialog box displays.
2. Enter the details:
• Client Type - Select the required type from the radio buttons.
• Surname or Name (if Organisation) - Type in the surname or name.

Note When you move the cursor to the next field ALB performs an automatic conflict check. Any similar records found are displayed. If you are satisfied that there is no conflict, click OK. If you do not use automatic checking, click CC to the right of the name to perform the check.

• Partner - Enter the code or use the lookup to select the partner or fee earner that is responsible for the client.
• Branch - Enter the code or use the lookup to select the branch of the firm.
3. Click Next.
4. Enter the address details.
5. Click Next.
6. Enter the contact details.
7. Click Next. If you selected Multiple as the client type, you will be asked for the details of the next client. There is a check box on the address and contact details screens to enable you to copy the details from the primary client.
8. Click Finish.

Note If you have anti money laundering switched on, the Identity Check process starts. Please click on Identity Check for details.

9.  Client Details opens showing the information that you have added for the client. Multiple clients will open in separate dialogues.

Tip If you have added a client to ALB and then find that you need to change the client's Client Type (as defined on Add New Client) this can be done by the system administrator. An individual client can be changed to an organisation client and an organisation client can be changed to an individual client.