Firms cannot currently create their own new or custom Matter Types in LEAP.

Matter Types and related forms are maintained by the local LEAP Content Team, which creates and maintains content that is compliant and relevant to the New Zealand legal profession. Matter Types are researched and developed by the Content team to support broad use across firms of different sizes and practice areas. Where relevant, standard and legislative forms and precedents are created for each Matter Type and automated to support LEAP document automation features.

However, for financial, banking, and lending work, the Commercial > Commercial Finance Matter Type may be suitable. The Matter Type Library lists Commercial Finance under the Commercial area of law, and the description covers financial and lending arrangements for businesses, including borrowing, lending, and investment practices.

When creating a Commercial Finance matter, the client role can be changed. For example, if the firm acts for the financier, the client role could be changed from Client to Lender. Other available role options include Borrower, Debtor, Guarantor, Secured party, and Security holder.

After selecting the Matter Type, review the Matter Details to ensure the information captured is appropriate. It is also useful to customise the matter description by unticking the Auto checkbox next to the Description field and entering a description that clearly identifies the banking or finance work. This helps with searching in the Matter List and will also appear on invoices.

If the Commercial Finance Matter Type is close to what is required but does not include all fields the firm needs, Custom Fields can be used to capture additional information, such as a financier reference or other internal reference information. Custom Fields can be created from LEAP Menu > Settings > Custom Fields, then added to a matter from Details & Correspondence > Matter Details > Custom Fields.

Custom Fields do not automatically appear on every new matter and need to be manually added to each matter where they are required.

When the same setup is used regularly, a Recurring Matter Template can help maintain consistency and reduce manual setup. Firms should use standard LEAP fields where available, particularly for frequently used precedents, as these are linked to Matter Details and support more consistent automation.

If a firm considers that an additional Matter Type is required, LEAP NZ is open to feedback about broadening the Matter Types available for New Zealand firms.

When submitting a request through the Matter Type and Form Feedback form, include the proposed Matter Type name, the nature of the work, key parties involved, required Matter Details fields, and any forms, precedents, prompts, or automation that would be useful.

Firms can also contact their Client Success Manager for guidance before submitting a request. The Client Success Manager can help determine whether an existing Matter Type, Custom Fields, or a Recurring Matter Template already supports the workflow, or whether a new Matter Type request should be submitted to the Content Team.

The Trustees and Beneficiaries fields in the trust card are primarily designed for document automation. Information entered in these fields can be used to populate trustee or beneficiary names into precedents. However, these fields do not store contact details and do not automatically link to individual trustee or beneficiary client cards.

Where full contact details, AML information, IRD numbers, or other personal information need to be recorded, it is best practice to maintain separate individual cards for trustees and beneficiaries. This is particularly important where those individuals are active parties in a matter or where customer due diligence is required.

Adding relevant people under the Staff section of the trust card is still useful. This allows key contacts connected with the trust, such as trustees, accountants, settlors, or appointers, to be recorded against the trust entity. Where possible, link them to their existing individual cards rather than recreating them manually.

The Card Relationship App should also be used to manually link the trust card to the individual cards for trustees, beneficiaries, or other related parties. This provides a clearer view of how parties are connected and supports relationship visibility across the firm.

In short, use the Trustees and Beneficiaries fields for automation, Staff for key trust contacts, and separate linked individual cards and the Card Relationship App where full details and relationship visibility are required.

For trust-related matters, also ensure relevant parties are added to the Matter Details in the appropriate roles so they can be used correctly in forms, precedents, correspondence, and reporting.

AML-related information was shown in two places during the session.

The first place was the Compliance Table within the matter, found in Matter Details. This is where users can record and update information such as matter risk, client risk, and the client’s CDD status. As best practice, this information should be completed at the outset of the matter and updated as new information is received.

The second place was the AML Compliance App, which provides a broader firm-wide view of AML compliance. This can be accessed from Menu > Accounting > General > AML Compliance. From there, users can open AML Management to view whether key AML requirements, such as the Matter Risk Assessment, Client CDD, and Source of Funds checks, have been completed or remain outstanding.

The AML Compliance App can also be used to filter data by date and export the report to a CSV file. Access may depend on user permissions, and firms may need Compliance Officer or Administrator access to view or manage the app.

Yes, this can be changed.

Once in the Matter, in the Details & Correspondence tab, navigate to Matter type and double-click it.

A list of folders will appear, allowing you to navigate to the desired matter type. You can also use the search bar at the top of the list to find the specific type you're looking for. Additionally, the Matter Type window allows you to change the designated Client/Other Side for the matter.

Once the Matter Type is updated, you’ll need to review your Matter Details carefully. 

Some tables may no longer be relevant, and you may need to update or remove certain information.

Also, keep in mind that any data entered into the tables under the previous Matter Type will still remain in your Matter Details, so it’s important to check this to ensure accuracy. 

If Matter Details aren’t completed fully, it can impact several areas:

• Documents may not generate correctly
• Reporting may be incomplete or inaccurate.
• It can create gaps in compliance, particularly around AML requirements.
• It can also lead to more manual work later by having to input the same data time and time again.

Taking a few extra minutes upfront can save a significant amount of time and reduce risk down the track.  

Please see Matter and Form Information Guides which provide guidance and step by step instructions for more complex matter types, including Trust Matters.  If you feel there is a guide missing, you’re always welcome to reach out to the Content Team at Content@leaplegalsoftware.co.nz.

The simple purpose of creating a Recurring Matter Template is to streamline the creation of new matters where repetitive data must be entered on a regular basis.

By using a template, you can pre-fill information that is common across multiple matters, such as:

• Property information and agent details (e.g., for property developers selling multiple lots in a sub-division).
• Standard letters, documents, and precedents.
• Specific folder structures for correspondence.
• Critical dates and recurring tasks.
• Staff attributes and special fees.

Once a template is set up, you can generate a new matter from it instantly, ensuring consistency and saving time on manual data entry.

As Recurring Matter Templates are firm-specific, any changes to matter types must be made by the user at a firm level. This ensures complete control of customisations by the firm.

In addition, as per Help Centre article Recurring Matter Templates, any changes users make to a Recurring Matter Template will only be included in matters that are created after the changes are made. The changes won't be included in previously created matters (this includes standard letters, documents, critical dates and tasks).

The primary way to search for matters is through the Matter List. By doing a key word search in the search bar, for example on client name, matter description. You can use Advanced Search to narrow down your search criteria.  You can also do a Property Search, especially if you only have limited information on a property.

We also have the Conflict Check which is another useful search tool.  It allows you to search across existing matters and contacts.  The app helps identify not only potential conflicts but also locates related records quickly.

The matter type library is available on Help Centre. However, we don't provide a list of tables that are defaulted to each matter type. 

Yes. You can add, remove, and reorder table types in the Matter Details section to ensure the matter captures all relevant information.

Adding the correct tables is important because LEAP uses the information in these tables to support document automation, matter workflows, reporting, and overall matter management. If the required table is missing or left incomplete, some information may not populate correctly in LEAP Forms, By Lawyers precedents, or other automated documents.

 To add a table type in LEAP:

1. Open the matter.

2. Ensure you are on the Details & Correspondence tab.

3. Under the Details column, right-click the Matter Details or Matter Type table and select Edit Table Types.

4. The Edit Table Types window will open. Click the Show All Tables checkbox to view the full list.

5. Tick the Active checkbox next to the table type you wish to add (e.g., Barrister or Third Party).

6. Click OK.

7. The new table will appear in your matter details. You can then right-click it and select Add from Card list to allocate a card to it.

What impact does this have?

Adding the correct tables helps ensure the matter has the right information available in the right place. This can improve the accuracy of automated documents, reduce manual data entry, and support smoother matter management.

For example, LEAP Forms and By Lawyers precedents are designed to pull information directly from matter detail tables. If a required table or field is blank, the relevant information may not populate or calculate correctly in your documents, such as purchase price details in a settlement statement.

It also allows you to record different parties and roles clearly, such as a second purchaser, spouse, barrister, or third party, each with their own contact details.

You can also reorder tables in the Details pane by dragging them up or down, allowing you to organise the matter details in a way that best supports your workflow.

You can reduce the space taken up by the matter details section by using the Compact View or by manually resizing the pane.

Enable Compact View: This setting displays the information on the right-hand side of the Details section in a more condensed format.

• Open your matter.
• Right-click any entry within the Details section on the left.
• Select Compact View.

Resize the Pane : You can manually adjust the width of the Details section to make the correspondence area larger.

• Hover your mouse over the panel slider between the Matter Details and Matter Correspondence sections.
• Click and drag the ←||→ slider to the left to resize the pane.

You can assign a favourite matter type either while creating a new matter or within an existing one.

When creating a new matter from the Main Menu > New Matter

Locate the matter types you wish to set as Favourite – Right Click and select Favourite – they will show with a * next to them.

Note:  Favourite Matter Types are user-specific, rather than firm-wide.

• When a client arrives unexpectedly and their usual lawyer is unavailable, you can run the Matter Summary to quickly understand the status of the matter.

• When a team member is on leave and hasn’t been able to provide a full handover, the Matter Summary gives an overview so someone else can step in.

• For new support staff, the Matter Summary helps them get up to speed quickly on a file.

• For lawyers new to the matter, the Matter Summary provides a fast, high-level view of what’s happening and what’s been done so far and suggested next steps.

• During file Closing and Archiving processes, ensure all work is completed, and a summary is available for when someone needs to pick up the file in the future.

Right click on the Matter from the Matter List.

You can:

• Create a new matter
• Create a new matter for the client
• Create a new Matter based on this matter