Matter Category - Admin
All matters created on Thread must have a category assigned to them. Matter categories dictate which matter stages, key dates, contact types, and custom fields, can be used with the matter. You can also add default templates to a matter category, which will automatically generate when a new matter is created in this category.
Further, when creating a matter category, you can indicate which roles have access to this category. So, for example with Family Law matters, you may restrict access to fee earners to protect sensitive information.
To customise matter categories, you should set up matter stages, key dates, contact types, and custom fields. Thread comes pre-loaded with standard options for each of these features, however, if you would like to add firm-specific options or custom fields, then you will need to configure these first.
Creating Matter Categories
Matter categories can be configured by global administrators in Admin Settings.
Note: Before creating a matter category, ensure that you have configured the relevant contact types, key dates, matter stages, custom fields, default templates, and default hourly rates.
1. Select the settings tab
on the bottom left of your menu.
2. Select Matters and then Category.
3. To add a new category, click +Category in the top right corner.
4. A pop-up will appear. Enter the category name and select the fields that will be applied to the category. Matters created with this category will be able to use the selected options (i.e. If you add the Custom Field of ‘Children's Names’ to the Family law category, matters created in the family law category can apply that custom field to their matter details.).
Select Category as the setting Type.
Add a Name for the Category, e.g. Family Law, Conveyancing, Litigation, etc.
Select the Contact Types that would be used for contacts added to matters in this category, and that you can include in document templates, e.g. Judge, Mediator, Accountant, Family Representative, etc.
Choose matter Stages that can be used for the matters in this category, e.g. pre-trial, client rejected, proceeded to, etc.
Choose Default Templates to be used in this category. These templates will automatically generate when you create a new matter in this category.
Add a Default Rate to be applied to matters created in this category, where relevant e.g. Partner, Paralegal, etc.*Refer to your firm billing method settings to apply category rates as default to time spent on matters.
Add key dates that can be used for this matter category, e.g. Commencement date, Hearing date, Agreement date, etc.
Select Custom Fields that can be added to the matter. Examples of custom fields include: Injuries, Defence Documents, Children’s names, Accident location.
Select Roles of users that will have access to this matter category.
Enter suggested Hours for how long a matter in this category is expected to last.
5. Click Save.
You can now apply this matter category and the selected fields to matters in Thread.
Adding and Removing Elements from Matter Categories
Once you have created a matter category, you can easily remove or add elements (such as key dates, matter stages, contact types, custom fields, default templates, and rates), at any stage. So, if you have created a new custom field or template and want to add it to a category, simply edit the category in Admin Settings.
1. Select the settings tab
on the bottom left of your menu.
2. Select Matters and then Category.
3. Select the category you want to add to, or remove elements from, and click Edit in the top grey pane.
4. In the pop-up that appears, you can rename the category, add or remove contact types, key dates, matter stages, custom fields, default templates, and rates to/from the matter.
5. Click Save.
Cloning Categories
Need to create a new category with identical fields to another category? Simply clone an existing category and add or remove fields as you please.
1. Select the settings tab
on the bottom left of your menu.
2. Select Matters and then Category.
3. Select the category you want to copy and click Clone in the top grey pane.
4. A pop-up window will appear with the copied category. From here, you can rename it, add, and remove elements as you please.
5. Click Save when finished.
Deleting Categories
Matter categories can be removed from Thread at any stage, provided there are no existing matters assigned to that category.
All matters must be removed from the category and assigned a new one before deleting a category, even closed matters. So, if you want to remove a category but keep existing closed matters, create a new category, e.g. Litigation (OLD), and assign the matters to this category. 1. Select the settings tab
on the bottom left of your menu.
2. Select Matters and then Category.
3. Select the category you want to remove and click Delete in the top grey pane.
4. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your decision. Click OK.
Category Permissions
Choose which users have access to a matter category by assigning Accessible Roles. You can also edit a category to grant access for a particular role on Thread (e.g. Accountant), or to remove access.
All matter category permissions are granted on a role basis, and individual permissions cannot be granted. You can set individual permissions on individual matters only. 1. Select the settings tab
on the bottom left of your menu.
2. Select Matters and then Category.
3. To grant permissions to an existing matter category, select the category and click Edit on the top grey pane.
4. A pop-up window will appear. Scroll down to Accessible roles and select roles that you want to grant access to from the drop-down menu.
5. Click Save.
It will not be possible to remove access to matter categories for roles which have access to admin settings and editing user permissions.
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