Article ID: 8563

Creating New Matters

The PCLaw program provides several New Matter options on the New Matter window. The following New Matter window fields are mandatory:

  • Matter Nickname
  • Client Nickname
  • Last name or company name
  • Responsible Lawyer
  • Date Opened
  • Type of Law

Take the following steps to use the New Matter window:

  1. Click File and select Matter.
  2. Select New Matter.
  3. Use the Last Matter box to view the nickname of the last matter created.
  4. Enter a nickname in the Matter box or accept the next incremental nickname.
    NOTE: The maximum length for matter nicknames is 12 characters.
  5. Enter a nickname in the Client box.
  6. Click Open From... to populate new matter fields using information from an existing client, contact, or vendor.
  7. Enter a law type in the Type of Law box.
  8. Enter a task code in the Default Task box or leave it blank.
  9. Enter a rate in the Default Rate box or leave it blank to use default lawyer rates.
  10. Enter a code in the Dept. box to set a department code or leave it blank.
  11. Select one of the following options from the Referral Type drop-down list:
    • Contacts - click to select from a list of contacts
    • Referral Sources - click to select a predefined source
    • Other - click to select a non-predefined source
    • N/A - click to select if there is no referral type
  12. Enter a matter description in the Description box.
  13. Enter a date in the Opened box to set the open date for this matter.
  14. Enter a lawyer in the Client Intro. box to set the Client Introducing Lawyer or leave it blank.
  15. Enter a lawyer in the Matter Intro. box to set the Matter Introducing Lawyer and allocated percentages or leave it blank.
  16. Enter a lawyer in the Responsible Lawyer box to set the Responsible Lawyer.
  17. Enter a lawyer in the Assigned box to set the Assigned Lawyer or leave it blank.
  18. Enter a username in the Other Staff box to associate a staff member or leave it blank.
  19. Enter Client Information.
  20. Select New Matter Defaults options.
  21. Run a Conflict Search.
  22. Click New to create your new matter and open another New Matter window.
  23. Click Next to create your new matter and open it in the Matter Manager.
  24. Click OK to create your new matter and close the New Matter window.