Matters and conflicts

A matter begins with a record number, subject, organization, owner and counterparty. The matter owner records the engagement reference and jurisdiction when they are relevant, then keeps the matter status current. A conflict reviewer records the decision, date, reviewer and evidence against that same matter. A clear decision supports the next engagement step; a conflict or request for more information keeps the question visible for the owner.

• Identify the parties. Matter Owner checks the organization, counterparty and record number on the intake matter.
• Record clearance. Conflict Reviewer keeps the decision, evidence, date and reviewer with that matter.
• Advance deliberately. The owner enters the engagement reference only after a Clear decision; More Information calls for follow-up.

A Clients record belongs to an organization, and the matter references that record as its counterparty. This matters when the same organization handles several engagements with different parties. The owner should use the record number consistently in conversation and imported material so an attachment or deadline is never attached to a similarly named matter.

Decide how organizations and counterparties are identified before bringing in open matters. The matter links its counterparty to a Clients record; it has no separate client-engagement field. Assign a Matter Owner for each record and agree that More Information or Conflict is not clearance. Rehearse a similar-name counterparty case, then confirm the Conflict Reviewer records the decision on the correct matter before engagement changes.

Suppose a new request concerns a former client. The matter owner opens the intake record with the counterparty and jurisdiction. The conflict reviewer checks the parties and records More Information with the supporting evidence. The owner gathers the missing context before the reviewer records a later clearance decision. Only then does the owner record the engagement reference and advance the matter.

Ask a different Matter Owner to open the case by record number, inspect the counterparty and read the conflict evidence. They should explain why More Information did not permit engagement and identify the later Clear decision if the matter advanced. Keep the review date and reviewer’s name with the decision.

• Active matter register — Matters ready for ongoing work, with their owner and counterparty.
• Matters in conflict review — Intake records awaiting a clearance decision.

Follow the related process and review the data model.