Run a Precedent

Overview

Running a precedent creates a new document using data stored in OneLaw and any additional information you provide during the process.

You can run a precedent while working with a Party or a Matter, or from the Documents area. Regardless of where you start, the process follows the same steps once a precedent is selected.

This article explains what users see and do when running a precedent. It does not cover how precedents are created or configured.

Who can do this

Users who have:

• Access to the relevant Party or Matter
• Microsoft Word installed with the OneLaw add-in available

Where you can start

You can start running a precedent from within OneLaw in any of the following places:

• Party > Precedents tab
  Shows the Precedent Libraries available for the selected Party.
• Matter > Precedents tab
  Shows the Precedent Libraries available for the selected Matter.
• Documents tab > Precedents Button
  Opens a popup window that mirrors the Precedents tab experience.

Regardless of where you start, the steps below are the same once you select a precedent.

Steps

1. Select a precedent
   • Navigate to one of the starting points listed above.
   • Browse the Precedent Libraries and folders.
   • Select the required precedent.
   • Run it by:
     • double-clicking,
     • right-clicking and selecting Open, or
     • selecting it and choosing Open Precedent.

2. Review the New document details

   When you run a precedent, the New Document window appears.

   

   In this window:

   • Document name defaults from the Document Type (usually the precedent name).
     You can edit this name to reflect the specific document you are creating, in line with your firm’s naming conventions.
   • Party and Matter default based on the Party or Matter you were working in when you began running the precedent.
     These can be changed if required.
   • To change the Party or Matter:
     • Click the X to remove the existing Party and/or Matter.
     • Search for and select the required record.

   • Recipient can be selected and is usually used for correspondence documents.

     Use the recipient icon to default the most recently used Party, or use the dropdown to select from:

     • Favourite Parties
     • Recently used Parties (with the most recent shown first)
   • Author and Office can be updated from the relevant dropdowns if required.
   • Categories can be selected to control how the document is saved and classified in OneLaw.

   Review the details, then click OK to continue.

3. Complete any Prompt InfoSheets

   Prompt InfoSheets appear when the precedent has one or more Prompt InfoSheets attached.
   They are used to capture document-specific information needed to complete the document.

   • Enter the required information.
   • Complete any fields marked as required.
   • Click OK to proceed with document creation.

   

   If no Prompt InfoSheets are attached, the document is created without prompting.

4. What happens during document assembly

   During assembly, OneLaw:

   • Pulls existing data from the selected Party and Matter, including any attached InfoSheets
   • Uses information entered in Prompt InfoSheets
   • Includes or excludes content automatically based on the data entered and existing Party or Matter information
   • Applies any default stationery or formatting set for the precedent

   Once assembly is complete, the document opens automatically for review.

5. Review and update the assembled document

   The assembled document opens in Microsoft Word.

   At this point, you can review the content and make any required updates, such as:

   • Adding Fragments, for example an alternative or dual-signature signing block
   • Adding Clauses, such as including an additional clause in a will
   • Updating stationery, including changing or removing headers or footers
   • Making standard Word edits to the document content

   These updates apply only to the current document and do not change the underlying precedent or future documents created from it.

6. Manage the document into OneLaw

   After reviewing and updating the assembled document, you must manage it into OneLaw (this is how documents are saved back to the system).

   Managing documents is done from the OneLaw tab in Microsoft Word.

   To learn how to manage a document, choose the correct manage option, and use related features such as PDF creation or time recording, see: Manage (Save) an Assembled Document into OneLaw

Result

You have created a new document from a precedent using OneLaw data and any prompted information. The document has been reviewed, updated, and managed back into OneLaw.

Recommended articles

• Insert Fragments and Clauses Manually
• Manage (Save) an Assembled Document into OneLaw