Creating a Matter

In this article:

• Creating a New Matter
• How-To Video

In Actionstep Practice Management, matters allow you to streamline your case and project management. A matter provides a comprehensive, centralized area for tracking all aspects of a case, including client information, documents, emails, tasks, appointments, and billing. 

Creating a New Matter

You can create matters in Practice Management. Matters can be tailored to your specific practice areas and processes, ensuring that all relevant data is easily accessible and organized. 

To do this:

1. In Practice Management, click the global Create button and choose Matter from the Matters section.
   
   TIP:  You can also go to Matters > Matters List and click Create Matter.  
   
   The Create Matter window appears.
2. In the Available Matter Types list, select the type of matter you want to create. The Create Matter window is updated to show you the fields required for that matter type.
3. Review the Matter Type you've selected to make sure it's correct. (Change it, if needed.)
4. Optionally, click the Template drop-down list to use a template to pre-fill some of the fields with existing data. (To learn more about using matter templates, see Creating and Editing Matter Templates.)
   
   As stated earlier, what information you enter depends on the type of matter you are creating and your Actionstep settings. Most matter types, however, include Matter Properties and Parties sections.
   
   
5. In the Matter properties section, enter the following:
   • Matter Name: Enter a name to identify the matter. Any naming convention can be used. (For ideas, see Tips and Tricks for Naming a Matter.)
   • File Reference: Enter an alternate reference ID that can be used as another way to label the matter and search for it. For example, you may use an internal indexing system for your matters that doesn't match Actionstep's. You can enter your internal index ID as the file reference, and you will now be able to search for the matter by that ID. 
   • Priority: Optionally, use this field for internal prioritization. Only numbers are allowed. 
   • Assigned to: Click this drop-down list to choose the participant who the matter is assigned to. 
   • Status: Leave this option set to Active unless the matter needs to be set to Inactive. (This is rare when first creating a matter.)
   • Date: Enter the date the matter was opened. (In most cases, this will match the date the matter was created.)
6. In the Parties section (if available), assign a contact to each of the roles listed by clicking the Select field in the Quick Add column. You can typically add multiple contacts to each role, if needed.
   
7. In the other sections (like Tasks, Matter Data or File Note, if available) provide as much information as possible.
8. Click Create Matter when you are finished. 

How-To Video

Related Articles:

• About Matter Types 
• About Matters
• Closing a Matter
• Deleting a Matter