---
sourceDocument: Xanadu Employee Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/xanadu/employee-service-management

 Release :

    - xanadu

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Xanadu Employee Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - emplsm

bundleId :

    - emplsm

workflow :

    - Employee


---

# Work on a legal matter

# Work on a legal matter {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Xanadu
* 
* Updated August 1, 2024
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read

As a matter owner, work on a legal matter assigned to you to resolve issues or answer
queries.

## Before you begin

Role required: sn_lg_matter.matter_fulfiller{#work-on-legal-matter__p_j4h_nfg_h1c}

## About this task

As a collaborator added to a legal matter, you can access and work on the legal matter just as matter owners can. However, you can't modify the Matter owner,
Assignment group, and Assignment group permission fields.{#work-on-legal-matter__p_k4h_nfg_h1c}  
Note:  
During times when you're unavailable, you can [delegate your legal duties to other users](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/hcJOeRJtf4RpD0Ga3r7JDQ "Legal fulfillers can delegate their legal duties to other users while they are unavailable. The delegate gets the same level of access as the legal fulfillers to work on their legal requests, legal matters, legal matter tasks, and approvals.").

## Procedure

1. Navigate to AllLegal RequestLegal Counsel Center.
2. In the Legal Counsel Center tab, select the list icon (![List icon]()).
3. In the Lists tab, open a legal matter by selecting an option under Matters.

   | Option | Steps |
   | As an assignee | 1. Select the Assigned to Me option. 2. Select a legal matter to work on. 3. If the legal matter is newly assigned to you, select Start to start working on it. The state of the legal matter updates to Work in Progress. {#work-on-legal-matter__p_zj2_nfg_h1c} {#work-on-legal-matter__ol_rbl_2bj_gtb} |
   | As a collaborator | 1. Select the Collaborations option. 2. Select a legal matter to work on. {#work-on-legal-matter__ol_sbl_2bj_gtb} |
   |-|-|

   {#work-on-legal-matter__choicetable_qbl_2bj_gtb}
4. **Optional:** Update the Assignment Group Permission to change the permission level of the legal matter for the assigned user group.
   * No Access: Only the practice area lead, group manager, and matter owner (user in the Matter owner field) can access and work on the legal matter.
   * Read: All members from the assignment group can only view the legal matter.
   * Edit: All members from the assignment group can view and edit the legal matter.

   {#work-on-legal-matter__choices_twt_xct_qqb}  
   Note:  
   The matter owner, practice area lead, or group manager can set the assignment group permissions on the legal matter. {#work-on-legal-matter__matter_classification}
{#work-on-legal-matter__matter_classification}
5. [Create artifacts](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/cy4lEC89E69b3IAo7VSUQQ "Create an artifact for a legal matter to upload and store documents, emails, and files related to the matter.") (folders) and [attach files to a legal
   matter artifact](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/McTFvnwxnQjhFPqt7O~EmA "Upload supporting documentation, such as documents, email copies, images, or any other files into the artifact while you are working on a legal matter or matter task. You can also use these artifacts as a reference material to solve similar requests in future.") to store the collected supporting documents within the matter.
6. **Optional:** If the request must be reassigned to a new assignment group due to business needs, select a new assignment group in the Assignment group field.  
   Note:  
   Editing of the Assignment group field is available only when the Editable Assignment group in Matter [option is configured](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r5ZImP9u2NTZd5YLH8MnNA "Add an intake form to a practice area to associate it with a record producer and define assignment rules and service level agreements.") in the associated intake form.  
   When the assignment group is changed, existing group members who are not in the updated assignment group might lose access to the matter. The Matter owner field is also cleared, and the matter owner is notified via email.
7. **Optional:** If you need help from other fulfillers to work on the legal matter, add them in the Collaborators field.  
   Note:  
   Users with the matter_fulfiller role are listed in the Collaborators field.  
   The collaborators are notified via email that they have been added as collaborators to a legal matter.
8. **Optional:** [Initiate an ad hoc
   approval](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/HfZzVW7yOxxTmKoJuEhilA "Initiate an ad hoc approval for a legal matter or its artifacts from a user or a user group.") for the legal matter or its artifact's content when an approval is required from other stakeholders.
9. **Optional:** [Engage with outside counsel](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/LKqJOcvfbX36towTvGwEMQ "Engage with outside counsel to benefit from their expertise for resolving legal matters.") while resolving matters.
10. **Optional:** Communicate with the requester or other stakeholders using emails, chats, work notes, or comments.
    * Using emails: Communicate with any stakeholders using emails. For more information, see [Communicate using emails](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/fqxFE77OG6N70vI1e2JN9w "Compose and send emails directly from legal matter record form in the Legal Counsel Center. You can also save the email as draft to send it later.").
    * Using live chats: Communicate with any stakeholders using chats. For more information, see [Start a chat session through Legal Counsel Center Inbox](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/msYIq3ia~098ntNSo6TLHQ "Accept an incoming chat request through Legal Counsel Center Inbox to start a chat session with the requester.").
    * Using Comments: To communicate with the requester or other stakeholders, in the Compose section, enter your message in the Comments field and click Post Comments.
    * Using Work notes: Communicate with the other members of the legal department, in the Compose section, enter your message in the Work notes field and click Post Work notes.  
      Using response templates, you can insert predefined content into emails, chats, and legal request and legal matter form fields such as Comments and Work notes. Select the response template icon (![Response template icon.]()) and find an appropriate response template based on the subject of your email. Copy and paste the template's content into the required field.  
      Note:  
      [Response templates configured for legal services](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/knc8B32rcMferBcTLnkacw "Create or modify a response template with a reusable message that legal fulfillers can use to send users quick and consistent messages. They can use these reusable messages in their assigned legal requests or legal matter forms, as well as in chat sessions or emails.") are only available to use.
    {#work-on-legal-matter__choices_wtb_1tx_z5b}
11. **Optional:** Create and manage a checklist of items in the Counsel Assist section to track what should be done to resolve the legal matter.
12. [Create phases](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/JP9qixwq4u5qqG96j4X6mQ "Add a phase to a matter to track specific tasks to complete the matter.") and [tasks under phases](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/YF0~zj9x8BnxOpjw6PeFVA "Create a task in a legal matter or a phase of the matter that you or another user should perform to resolve the matter.") to organize the investigation.  
    You can assign these tasks to users across various departments in your organization.
13. [Add milestones](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/X1RuYMC71Ms2JuC1OUyBew "Add a milestone to a legal matter to track important calendar events related to the matter.") to keep a track of timelines to complete important tasks.
14. **Optional:** [Associate the
    matter with another legal request](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ZIddLzKlkQ3DZUn56m6lUQ "Associate an existing legal matter with a legal request that is similar to provide helpful information in resolving the request.") that is similar in nature.
15. Either close the legal matter after you have completed the required activities or cancel it if it does not need further action.
    * To close the matter, follow the instructions in [Close the legal matter](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/ZnWNFU8fxjJ5nXp_ttfT_g "Close a legal matter assigned to you when you complete all activities for resolving the legal matter. You can also close the matter if you find that it doesn’t need any further action.").
    * To cancel the matter, click the more actions button (![More actions button icon.]()) and select Cancel.
    {#work-on-legal-matter__choices_t25_mfs_v4b}
16. If new information surfaces or further investigation is required [reopen the legal matter](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/TBJIpMb1qdzVQOZrm9IVNA "If a legal matter requires further investigation after it was closed or canceled, you can reopen it to work on it again.") after it has been closed or canceled.
{#work-on-legal-matter__steps_n4h_nfg_h1c}

*[\>]: and then