Creating a Matter

A matter is a single piece of work — a provisional, a PCT application, a trade mark, a design. Creating one is quick: choose its type, name it, and you're ready to work. The matter type you pick decides the workflow, fields, roles and templates the matter inherits.

Starting a new matter

From the matters list on the dashboard, click + New Matter. An inline creation card opens in place — there is no pop-up window to manage.

The New Matter creation card with type, name and tags — Creating a matter — choose the type, name it, add optional tags, then Create Matter.

Choosing a matter type

Use the Matter Type selector to pick the kind of work this is — for example "PCT Patent Application", "Provisional Patent" or "Domestic Design". This is the most important choice you make here: the matter type defines the workflow steps the matter moves through, the data fields it tracks, the roles involved, and the email, letter and invoice templates it can use.

The selector lists the matter types your organisation has set up and enabled. When you create the matter, it automatically begins at the workflow's starting step.

Naming the matter

Enter a Name that will let you recognise the matter at a glance — often the invention or brand it concerns, such as "An improved mouse trap". The name is what appears in lists, search results and reports, so make it descriptive.

Note

Your firm may prevent two matters from sharing the same name, to avoid confusion. If a name is rejected as a duplicate, add something distinguishing (a client name or reference) to tell them apart.

Adding tags (optional)

You can apply one or more Tags as you create the matter — for example "Mechanical". Tags are free-form labels that help you sort and filter later. Type to search your organisation's existing tags, or type a new label to create one on the fly. Tags are optional and can always be changed afterwards; see Tags for how they help you organise work.

Creating it

Click Create Matter to open the new file, or Cancel to back out without saving. Once created, the matter opens on its own screen where you can add contacts, record time, send correspondence and move it through its workflow — see the matter overview to get started.