Adding a matter

Caution Take care when entering matter details as the information you type will be automatically used in letters, other documents and reports.

1. You can add a matter in three ways:
   • In Practice Management, on the Home tab, click Add New Matter.
   • When you add a client, you can choose to add a matter. The Add New Matter wizard opens with the client's reference entered.
   • From the Client Details screen you can add a matter from the Actions tab, click Add Matter for Client. The Add New Matter wizard opens with the client's reference entered.
2. Enter the Client details:
   • If the Client is not shown, click to search for the client. Double-click the client's record.
   • If other clients are associated with the selected client, they are listed in Multiple Clients. Tick any clients that are also associated with the matter.
3. Enter the Matter details:
• Description. Enter a description for the matter.
• Branch. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Department. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Work Type. Select by typing the code or click  to look up the code. The list of work types available depends on the department selected.
• Fee Earner. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Unique File Number (UFN). Enter the date in the first part; the second part is filled in automatically with a number unique to the date. For criminal matters only.

Tip These numbers are assigned to the fee earner in the Utilities application.

4. Click Next.
5. Enter the System Info:
• Charge Rate. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Court Type. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Client Bank. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Firm Bank. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.
• Supervisor. Select by typing the code or click to look up the code.

Note If the matter is funded by the Legal Services Commission (the work type begins with 02), the Public Funding checkbox is selected and if the department selected for the matter has a public funding franchise, the Special Quality Mark SQM checkbox is selected.

6. Click Next to see a summary of the matter. Click Back to make any changes.
7. Click Finish.

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

8. The Matter Details opens.