Create a Matter

To create a matter, open the client record, create a new matter, enter the matter code, complete the required tabs, then spell check and save the record. Many default values on the matter come from the related client record and can be changed to any valid value for the individual matter.

Use this procedure to create a matter for an existing client in Juris.

Create the matter record

Select Tables > Clients.
Open the client record.
Double-click the Matters folder icon.
Open the Matter form using any of the following options:
- Click the New icon.
- Select Form > New.
- Press Ctrl+N.
Enter a Matter Code.

Code tab

Use the Code tab to enter the main matter details.

Enter a 1-30 character Matter Nickname.
Enter a 1-30 character alphanumeric Reporting Name.

The Reporting Name defaults from the Matter Nickname and can be edited.
Enter a 1-30 character Source of Business.
Enter 1-20 character phone and fax numbers.
Enter a 1-30 character Contact.
Enter or accept the Date Opened.

The default is the current system date.
Select the appropriate Status and Lock options.

These options can limit the ability of users to enter new transactions for the matter.
Enter or select a valid Office Code.
Enter or select a valid Practice Class Code.
Select whether the matter is an individual.

If this option is not selected, Juris treats the matter as an organization.
Enter or select valid Originating Timekeeper values and percentages.

At least one Originating Timekeeper is required. The number of timekeepers allowed is 1-5, as determined in Firm Options.
Optional: Select Enable Online Payments.
Optional: Select Enable Online Trust Payments.

Description tab

Use the Description tab to enter the matter description and remarks.

The Matter Description and Matter Remarks fields allow a large amount of text, and these fields can be placed in the bill design.

To enter a carriage return, press Ctrl+Enter.
To enter a tab, press Ctrl+Tab.

Address tab

Use the Address tab to enter billing address and consolidation information.

If the matter is not consolidated, enter the billing timekeeper, prebill format, bill format assignments, and billing address information on this tab.

If the matter is consolidated, select the consolidation on this tab. The consolidation must be created before the matter can be added to it. For more information, see Create a Consolidation.

Billing tab

Use the Billing tab to enter fee, expense, agreement, frequency, threshold, and attachment settings.

Enter or select the Fee Schedule Code.

The fee schedule assigned to the matter determines the timekeeper rates used. If the selected fee schedule does not match the selected client fee schedule, a mismatch warning appears. Click OK and make the appropriate changes so the schedules match.
Enter or select the Task Code Xref Code, if applicable.
Enter or select the Expense Schedule Code.

The expense schedule assigned to the matter determines the amounts charged for expenses.
Enter or select the Expense Code Xref Code, if applicable.
Select a Quick Action code to automatically assign an action code to the prebill upon selection.

For more information, see Edit Prebills Overview.
Enter or select the Billing Agreement Code.
If the billing agreement is Flat Fee, select Flat Fee Amount Includes Expenses, if applicable.

Any action to be made on the billing agreement after posting a flat fee bill is determined in Firm Options.
If the billing agreement is Retainer, enter or select the Retainer Type.
Enter or select the billing frequency for expenses and fees.

Any action to be made on the billing frequency after posting a flat fee bill is determined in Firm Options.
If the billing frequency is Quarterly, Semiannually, or Annually, enter the Billing Month.
If the billing frequency is Cycle, enter a cycle from 1-999.
Enter billing thresholds for expenses and fees.

Threshold defaults are established in Firm Options. Threshold billing is activated when prebills are printed by frequency. When posted fees or expenses reach or exceed the thresholds, the prebill is generated even if it falls outside the established billing frequency for that item.

If the prebill prints only because the fee threshold was met, only fees print. If it prints because the expense threshold was met, only expenses print.

In the Bill Attachments drop-down list, specify whether existing attachments are included when printing bills.

Available options are:

Print attached expense files when printing bills: Includes all expense attachments when printing bills, if attachments are present.
Do not print attached expense files when printing bills: Does not print expense attachments with bills.
Print attached expense files when printing bills for expenses over $: Allows you to enter a dollar amount. When a bill is over that amount, expense attachments are included when printing bills.

The default option for new clients and related matters can be specified at the firm level. For more information, see Billing Tab.

Split tab

Use the Split tab to define split billing for the matter.

In the spreadsheet, enter the matters the bill should be split to. For each split-to matter, enter the percentage of the bill that should be split to that matter.

The split-to matters must be created before they can be assigned in the spreadsheet. Split-to matters can be outside the current client, or they can include matters within the current client, including the current matter being split.

INT/DISC tab

Use the INT/DISC tab to enter optional interest, discount, surcharge, tax, and requirement settings.

Enter Interest Percent from 0.0000-100.0000%, if applicable.
Enter Interest Days from 1-365.

This is the number of days in the grace period before interest begins to accrue on past due balances.
Enter or select the Discount Option and percentage from 0.0000-100.0000%, if applicable.
Enter or select the Surcharge Option and percentage from 0.0000-100.0000%, if applicable.

Defaults and the ability to change interest, surcharge, and discount are determined by settings in Firm Options.
Select Tax Exemption options, if applicable.
Select Enable Budgeting, if applicable.
If Enable Budgeting is selected, select Require Phase Numbers on all Transactions, if applicable.
Select Require Task Codes on all Time Entries, if applicable.
Select Require Activity Codes on all Time Entries, if applicable.
Select Require Task Codes on all Expense Entries, if applicable.

Allocations tab

Use the Allocations tab to enter allocation details.

Select an ID.
Enter a percentage.

Each new line automatically populates the percentage field with a value that adds up to 100 percent.

Additional Info (Billing Format) tab

Use the Additional Info (Billing Format) tab to select text codes for applicable billing fields.

Select a field in the left column.
Click the ellipses button to open the Text Codes for selection.
Continue through each applicable field, using the ellipses button to select a Text Code.

Collections tab

Use the Collections tab to enter collection information.

Select Collection Terms.
Select Collection Status.
Enter Additional Status, if appropriate.

Spell check and save

Optional: Spell check the form using any of the following options:
- Click the Spell Check icon.
- Select Form > Spelling.
- Press F7.
Save the matter using any of the following options:
- Click the Save icon.
- Select Form > Save.
- Press Ctrl+S.

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