> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bizaxl.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Clients and Matters > Create client records, open matter files, manage tasks, and record billable services in Law Management. **Role: Legal Staff** - Creating clients, opening matters, and recording service entries is done by Legal Staff (Advocates, Paralegals). The billing catalogue (Legal Services and rates) is configured by an Administrator - see [Setup](/professional-services/law-management/setup). **Upstream dependencies:** Matter Types, Service Types, Services, and File Types must be configured in [Setup](/professional-services/law-management/setup) before you can open a matter. **Downstream:** Matters feed into Cases, Appointments, Legal Service Entries, and Legal Notices. All billing flows from here into BAS invoices. *** ## Clients A client is the person or organisation the firm acts for. Client records are shared with BAS, so any invoice you raise later links back automatically. ### Create a Client **Path:** Law Management → Matter Management → Client → New Client form showing Full Name, Mobile Number, and Email Address fields | Field | Description | | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Full Name** | The client's legal name as it should appear on documents and invoices. | | **Mobile Number** | Primary contact number. | | **Email Address** | Used for correspondence and portal access. | Save the record. The client is now available to link to matters. Saved client record with name and contact details visible *** ## Matters A matter is a client's file - the main unit of work in Law Management. One client can have multiple matters running simultaneously (for example, a civil suit and a separate property dispute). ### Create a Matter **Path:** Law Management → Matter Management → Matter → New **Requires:** The client must already exist. Matter Type, Service Type, Service, and File Type must be configured in Setup. Matter form showing Client, Matter Type, Service Type, Service, File Type, Status, and date fields | Field | Description | | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Client** | The client this matter belongs to. | | **Matter Type** | Top-level category of the legal work (e.g. Civil, Criminal, Family). | | **Service Type** | Nature of the legal service being provided. | | **Service** | The court or jurisdiction the matter falls under. | | **File Type** | Classification code for the physical file. | | **Status** | Set to `Open` when starting; update as the matter progresses. | | **Expected Start Date** | When work on this matter is expected to begin. | | **Expected End Date** | Target completion date. | Saved matter record showing client name, matter type, service, and Open status ### Matter Statuses | Status | Meaning | | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Open** | Work is ongoing. | | **Completed** | The matter has concluded. | | **Cancelled** | The matter was closed without completion. Cancelled matters are excluded from the Matter shortcut count on the home screen. | ### Link Related Matters If two matters are connected - for example, a civil suit and a related execution petition for the same client - link them in the **Linked Matter** section on the matter record. This lets you navigate between related files quickly. *** ## Tasks Each matter can have multiple tasks - specific actions the team needs to take (drafting, filing, research, court appearances, etc.). **Path:** Open the Matter → Task section → New Task Task form inside a matter showing Subject, Assigned To, Due Date, and Status fields | Field | Description | | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Subject** | Short description of what needs to be done. | | **Task Type** | Category of work (e.g. Drafting, Research, Court Appearance). | | **Assigned To** | The staff member responsible. | | **Due Date** | When it must be completed. | | **Status** | Open, Working, Pending Review, Overdue, or Completed. | | **Description** | Additional instructions or context for the person assigned. | You can view and filter all tasks across all matters from **Law Management → Matter Management → Task**. *** ## Billing Flow Billing follows a four-step flow from service catalogue to BAS invoice: ```mermaid theme={null} %%{init: {'theme':'base','themeVariables':{'fontFamily':'DM Sans','primaryColor':'#e7fdf6','primaryBorderColor':'#14f1b1','primaryTextColor':'#0f172a','lineColor':'#14f1b1'}}}%% flowchart LR LS[Legal Service] --> LR[Legal Service Rate] --> LE[Legal Service Entry] --> BI[BAS Invoice] ``` The first two steps are performed by an **Administrator** during Setup. The last two steps are performed by **Legal Staff** as work is done. ### Step 3 - Record a Legal Service Entry After work is performed for a client, record it as a Legal Service Entry. This is the billable line item. **Path:** Law Management → Matter Management → Legal Service Entry → New **Requires:** The matter must exist. The Legal Service and its rate must be configured in [Setup](/professional-services/law-management/setup). Legal Service Entry form showing Matter, Legal Service, Date, and Rate fields | Field | Description | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Matter** | The client file this work belongs to. | | **Legal Service** | The service that was performed (selected from the catalogue). | | **Date** | The date the work was done. | | **Rate** | Populated automatically from the rate card. Override only if this instance differs (e.g. outstation matter). | | **Description** | Optional note about the specific work done. | Saved Legal Service Entry record linked to a matter with service and rate details ### Step 4 - Raise a BAS Invoice Once you have recorded all Legal Service Entries for a billing period, raise a Sales Invoice against the client in BAS. The entries appear as line items on the invoice. For full invoicing instructions, see the [BAS documentation](/bas/introduction). *** ## Tips * **One client, many matters** - always check if the client already exists before creating a new one. Duplicate client records cause confusion when raising invoices. * **Set the Status to Completed** when a matter concludes - this keeps your active matter count accurate on the home screen. * **Use Matter Templates** (configured in Setup) to auto-create standard tasks when opening common matter types. This ensures nothing is missed and saves setup time. * **Record Legal Service Entries as you go**, not at the end of the month. Entries recorded near the time of work are more accurate and less likely to be missed. * **Link related matters** - if a client has a connected follow-up matter (e.g. an appeal from an earlier case), use Linked Matter so the team can navigate between files without searching.