Chapter: Documents
Matter details form
Every matter is created by this form. It is the hub of all
Matter files; a defacto profile document or mini database that contains all information relevant to the matter, or more to point, the conduct of a matter in an operational (Matter) database.
This form (matter record) is created in the System db, and a copy is created and maintained in the Matter database and on the Server specified under the Administration section of the document. The copy is maintained for three reasons:
1. It gives information on the matter in Main view of the Matters database.
2. Certain values in the copy are accessed by documents created in the Matters database. Whilst these values could be taken from the System db, there is a speed advantage in taking them from the same database.
3. It provides a convenient basis for categorising documents by matter (number).
4. It assists in archiving the matter.
The relevant fields are discussed below
Type: A brief description of the type of the matter. The user must select a type from the list supplied. The list is taken from the Keywords view of the System db.
Solicitors
Partner [or
Responsible Solcitor]: Solicitor:
Other:
Up to six solicitors can be associated with any given matter. A Partner or Responsible Solicitor must be specified. The user will be prompted to insert the initials of another solicitor that has the conduct of the matter under the responsible solicitor.
The solicitors are relevant in the following ways;
1. Matters are categorised by responsible solicitor and solicitor
2. All incoming documentsare put in the WIP view of these solicitors.
3. Only the responsible solicitor (or a member of the "Administrators" group) can change the responsible solicitor.
4. the reponsible solicitor is the recipient of automatic mail messages to complete the litigation section of the form, As explained below.
Sub files
Documents are sub categorised by their file type in the Main view of the Matter db. In addition to the standard types of files (eg Correspondence, Court Documents, Evidence etc), a matter may (and usually does) require matter specific file types. They are inserted here.
Miscellaneous Information:
Related parties
Litigation
The fields in this section relate to limitation periods, and are designed to ensure that deadlines for the issue of proceedings are not missed. They can be completed prior to the Matter being created (by the person or persons specified in the User Profile) or by the responsible solicitor or an Administrator thereafter.
Every week the "LimitationPeriodCheck" agent in the System db checks to see if the field has been completed. If not it sends a mail message to the responsible solicitor to complete it.
Administration
Sub topic: