Each Client File in the MM App can be made up of multiple Matters. In theory it is possible to have 999 Matters per Client File, though it would be recommended not going this high. This article covers how to create and add a New Matter to an existing Client File.
New Matters can be created via:
- the Shortcuts menu
- the Matters tab
- the Action menu in the Client File
This article will cover how to create a New Matter via the Shortcut menu
1. Use the Shortcut Menu
The Shortcut menu is located in the top right of the MM App. Click it to reveal a list of options. Select Create Matter.
2. Existing Matter
The Add New Matter Wizard will now appear. The first page will ask you are creating a new Matter for an existing Client or whether you want to create a New Client. In this scenario where the Client already exists, choose "Use an Existing Client".
3. Select the Existing Client
The next page of the Wizard asks you to search for and select the existing Client File that you want to add the new Matter to. Enter the name (or part of) and click Search. Select the appropriate Client File and click Next on the Wizard.
4. Enter the Matter Details
The next page of the Wizard requires you to enter details about the Matter
4.1. Matter Details
- Jurisdiction - select which Country / Jurisdiction this Matter will relate to. Note that in Settings > Preferences you can specify a default Jurisdiction
- Category - all of the Matter types are grouped by Category. Note that in Settings > Preferences you can specify a default Category for new Matters
- Type / Stream - select the Matter type and if applicable, the sub type / stream
- Name/Re-Line - this will generate based on the Matter Type you have selected but can be updated.
- Description - this will also be generated based on the Matter Type and can be edited. It should be used for adding a longer description about the Matter.
- Tags - this field allows you to specify Tags / Keywords to help you search for this Matter in the future. You can create new Tags at this stage if required.
- Use Default Folders and Sections - this allows you to either go with the default document folders and sections, or change them to suit your particular situation.
The User Roles section allows you to specify which Roles a User has in the Matter. For example you can set a user to be the Responsible Lawyer / Agent , the Manager, Assistant etc. To add additional users to this Matter, click the Add button.
If you set Use Default Folders and Sections to No, you can manually set the Sections (and their fields) for this Matter by using the Add button. Changing the Sections allows you to control some of the fields which can be available for entering data for this Matter. Note that the Sections in bold are mandatory for the Matter Type that has been selected. Non bold items can be removed.
Clicking the Add button will display the Add Matter Sections window from which you can select other Section options
If you set Use Default Folders and Sections to No, you can manually set the document folders which will be created for this Matter using the Add button. Note that the Attachments, In and Out folders must be added
The Fees & Expenses Budget section lets the user specify details about the budget for the Matter including:
- The professional fees estimated for this Matter
- The expenses/disbursements
- The estimated time
- The amount for any first deposit
The amounts can either be entered manually or pulled from the Fees and Expenses Templates for this type of Matter (go to Settings > Matters > Fees and Expenses Templates) by setting Use Fees & Expenses Template to On or Off.
5. Summary
The summary page will show details of the Matter that is about to be created. Click Finish to create the new Matter.
