Matter types in Smokeball are set up by area of law and jurisdiction. It is important to select the right matter to ensure you have access to all appropriate fields related to that area of law.
This article serves as your guide of what matter types to use for each client. Each jurisdiction may have slightly different matter types available.
If you are unsure which matter type to use, reach out to your Account Manager for Guidance.
Note: "General" matter types are available in each area of law, for matters that may not fit into the other predefined matter type processes. The General matter types may be missing some of the more specific details and fields that you may be looking for, so always select the specific matter type for your process (if available) over the General matter for this area of law. Using Tags is a great way to differentiate between General matter types.
Commercial and Corporate
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Commercial General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in connection with a simple commercial matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Company Setup | United Kingdom | Used when setting up a new public or private company, and registering the company with Companies House. |
| Corporate General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in a matter pertaining to a corporate entity that does not fit in to the other specific process matters. It can relate to any matter for the corporation, including statutory reporting, change of director/secretary/registered address, cessation, etc. |
| Financial Services | United Kingdom | Used when acting for a client in relation to Financial Services and Markets. |
| Lending | United Kingdom | Used when representing a Lender or a Borrower in relation to mortgages and consumer lending. |
| Share Sale | United Kingdom | Used when representing the buyer or seller in the purchase or transfer of interest in a company. |
| Shareholder Agreement | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in relation to a shareholder agreement. |
Commercial Property
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Commercial Lease | England & Wales | Used when representing a Landlord or Tenant in connection with a commercial lease. |
| Commercial Property General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in relation to a commercial property matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
Conveyancing
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Conveyancing General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in relation to a general conveyancing matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Purchase | England & Wales | The Purchase matter type can be used for residential or commercial conveyancing purchases when acting for the Buyers. |
| Remortgage | England & Wales | Used when representing the Borrower or Lender in relation to the refinancing of a mortgage. |
| Sale | England & Wales | The Sale matter type can be used for residential or commercial conveyancing sales when acting for the Sellers. |
| Transfer | England & Wales | The Transfer matter type can be used when acting for the Transferor or Transferee when transferring property outside of sale or purchase transaction, such as between family members. |
Criminal
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Criminal General | England & Wales | Used when representing a Defendant or acting on behalf of the Prosecution in relation to criminal charge(s). |
Employment
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Employment Dispute | England, Wales, Scotland | See Litigation and Disputes > Employment Dispute |
| Employment General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in connection with an employment matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Settlement Agreement | England & Wales | Used when representing the Employee or Employer in facilitating mutually agreed upon terms in relation to employment. |
Estate Administration
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Estate Administration General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in connection with an estate administration matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Probate | England & Wales | The Probate matter type can be used when acting for the Personal Representative of an estate during the estate administration (Probate or Letters of Administration) process. |
Estate Planning
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Estate Planning General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in connection with an estate planning matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Lasting Power of Attorney | England & Wales | This matter type is used for setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney for financial and/or health matters. |
| Trust | England & Wales |
Used when representing a client in relation to creating a new Trust or managing an existing Trust. |
| Will | England & Wales | Used when creating a Will for client(s). |
Family
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Children | England & Wales | The Children matter type is used when representing the Applicant or Respondent (this could be a parent, guardian, etc) in a court application relating to children. Use this matter for orders including child arrangements, specific issues, prohibited steps, parental responsibility, financial provisions, or the appointment of a guardian. |
| Divorce and Dissolution | England & Wales | Use this matter when representing the Applicant or Respondent in an application for divorce, dissolution or judicial separation, or in relation to Financial matters following the same. |
| Family General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in connection with a family matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Financial Remedy | England & Wales | Used when representing an Applicant or Respondent in relation to Financial matters following a divorce, dissolution or separation. |
| Nuptial Agreement | England & Wales | Use the Nuptial Agreement matter type when acting for either party to draft or negotiate a pre-nuptial, post-nuptial or civil partnership agreement. |
| Separation Agreement | England & Wales | Used when representing a client in negotiating and documenting mutually agreed upon terms in relation to a separation, such as financial arrangements while separated / before a divorce or dissolution. |
General
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Document Legalisation | United Kingdom | Used when assisting a client in getting certain official UK documents ‘legalised’ by submitting them to the Legalisation Office. |
| General | United Kingdom | This matter type is a basic catch-all for matters that do not fit anywhere else. Always use a specific matter type if available, or the General matter within a specific area of law before using this matter.
Still using the General matter type? If you find you are opening a lot of General matters, you might like to submit a ticket to provide feedback on when/why you are using this, in case we can build something to better suit your needs! |
Immigration
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Asylum | United Kingdom | Used when assisting a client in relation to a claim for asylum in the UK. |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom | Used when assisting a client in an application for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen. |
| Immigration General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in relation to an immigration matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Leave to Remain | United Kingdom | Used when assisting a client in applying for indefinite leave to remain or "settlement" in the UK. |
| Visa Application | United Kingdom | Used when assisting a client in connection with any visa application submitted to UK Visas and Immigration. |
Litigation and Disputes
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Debt Recovery | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant (Creditor) in recovering unpaid debts from a Defendant (Debtor), including obtaining and enforcing a judgment debt. |
| Dispute General | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant or Defendant in any civil dispute/litigation case. |
| Employment Dispute | England, Wales, Scotland | Used when representing an Employee or Employer in any employment-related dispute. |
| Landlord Tenant Dispute | England & Wales | Used when representing a Landlord or Tenant in any dispute arising from the landlord-tenant relationship. |
Personal Injury
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Clinical Negligence | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant in relation to a personal injury claim arising from a clinical or medical negligence incident. |
| Disease | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant in relation to a disease or illness personal injury claim. |
| Employer's Liability | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant in relation to a personal injury claim arising from an accident or injury in the workplace. |
| Personal Injury General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a Claimant or Defendant in relation to a personal injury matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
| Public Liability | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant in relation to a personal injury claim arising from an accident or injury in a public place. |
| Road Traffic Accident | England & Wales | Used when representing a Claimant in a claim in connection with a road traffic accident. |
Welfare
| Matter Type Name | Location | Description |
| Court of Protection | England & Wales | Used when representing an Applicant in relation to a Court of Protection matter. |
| Welfare General | United Kingdom | Used when representing a client in relation to a welfare matter that does not fit well in the other matter types. |
Looking for something else?
We want to hear from you! Our team are always enhancing Smokeball and value your feedback as an integral part in our ongoing efforts to craft an exceptional product for small law firms.
If there are other matter types that you would love to see in Smokeball then please submit a ticket with your matter type feedback or Contact our friendly team for more information on how to get the most out of the Smokeball matters.
Did You Know
- Our Practice Area Guides have lots of handy hints on different features and customisation suggestions that will help you in each area of law.