Your first matter

A Matter is the shared legal file for one instruction. Create it before or as you start recording, so later drafts, reviews, and questions sit in the right context.

You can create clients and matters on every plan. Tasks, time entries, key dates, matter file uploads, and forms require Pro or Enterprise.

1. Create the matter

1. Select Matters in the sidebar, or New matter under Recent matters.
2. Enter a clear name and an optional reference.
3. Search for the client, or create one from the name you type.
4. Choose People with access:
   • Only you keeps the file private until you share it.
   • A group gives that group access from creation.
5. Select Create matter.

The matter opens on Overview. Recent matters in the sidebar keep the files you open most often.

2. Orient yourself

Overview is the working home for the file:

• Ask Clara about this matter from the composer. The conversation stays private.
• Add Matter Memory entries for agreed facts, instructions, and decisions.
• Use Activity for the timeline, including short notes.
• Open Work, Tasks, Files, Forms, or Time from the tabs or the expanded matter in the sidebar.

Status is Open, Pending, or Closed. Closing keeps the history and access; authorised members can reopen it.

3. Add work

From the matter you can:

• start a recording with the client and matter already selected;
• upload source files to Files on Pro or Enterprise;
• create a Pillar that is shared with the matter from the start;
• ask Clara to draft, then share the document when it is ready for the team;
• start a review and save it to the matter.

A recording linked to the matter is still your recording while you work on it. Completing it can place the transcript in Files. Generated documents stay in My work until you select Share to matter.

4. Share the file

If you created the matter as Only you, share it when others need to work on it:

1. Open Edit matter or the sharing control in the header.
2. Add a member or group.
3. Choose View, Work, or Manage.
4. Confirm the grant.

Client access does not open every matter for that client. See Matter access.

Next steps

• Matter workspace: Overview, Work, Tasks, Files, Forms, and Time
• Your first recording
• Clara
• Forms