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The matter is the central record in SB Lawyer: time, expenses, prepayments and invoices are all linked to a matter. It holds the sell-to customer, the bill-to customer, the partner, the manager and the invoicing method.
- Matter Categories, Matter Line Families and number series are set up on the Matter Setup page.
- Matter templates can prefill the matter card when you create a matter.
- Open the Matters list, then choose New. If templates exist, choose one.
- Fill in the Sell-to Customer, then the Partner and the Manager.
- Add at least one Matter Line and complete the invoicing method: time spent, fixed fee, recurring amount or subscription.
- If needed, add Collaborators, Related Parties, Originating Partner and practice areas.
- Choose Change Status, then In Progress.
You can also use a request for opening or create the matter from the customer card.
| Status |
Meaning |
| Open |
The matter is being set up: you can edit it, but you can’t enter time or expenses. |
| On Hold |
A conflict check is in progress: you can enter time, but you can’t invoice. |
| In Progress |
Active matter: you can enter time and expenses and invoice. |
| Closed |
The matter is finished: no more entries or invoicing. |
| To Register |
The matter can be archived. This status is final. |
To move to In Progress, the matter needs a sell-to customer, a partner, at least one matter line and, depending on its category, a completed conflict check.
¶ Close and archive a matter
- Choose Change Status, then Closed. You can’t close a matter that still has unused prepayments, open sales or purchase documents, or unpaid invoices. SB Lawyer offers to settle the entries that are still open.
- Then set the matter to To Register. The archiving process moves it to the Registered Matters, which are read-only.
- Copy Matter copies an existing matter, active or archived, into a new open matter, with the elements you choose: collaborators, related parties, prices…
- Create Child Matter links a new matter to the current one. A child matter can’t have children of its own.
The Blocked field restricts operations without changing the status: entries, invoicing, posting of invoices, or everything.