In this article :

A custom field is simply a type of 'form field' - eg a 'text field', a 'number field', a 'dropdown list', a 'checkbox' etc.

You can customize these (names, values, descriptions, etc.) and add them to your matters or contracts so that you can capture specific data. You can then use those custom fields later to filter the matter grid and report on it.

You should only create custom fields when the default LawVu fields don't meet your needs.

We always recommend that you use the fields shipped with LawVu because they are tied to other functions within LawVu that let you filter, capture, and report on data more meaningfully.

See more about 'Default fields'

Whenever you create a custom field - you start by selecting an existing 'field type' and then customizing it.

For example, if you want to capture someone's 'tax code' - you would start by selecting a 'single line text field' and then customizing the labels accordingly (see the field examples below this section)

Go to Settings / Field Management, and there you will see all the fields in your organization's field library. The default view is All fields (highlighted in red).

Clicking on Custom fields (highlighted in yellow) will display your existing custom fields.

If you select LawVu fields this will show you all the default LawVu fields. If you would like to create a new custom field, click Add new.

You'll be brought to this screen, where you can begin creating your field:

This field is used for recording a single line of text. You can use it to capture numbers you don't want to perform calculations for, e.g., an 'Australian Business Number" or a "Tax code," etc.

Used for recording a paragraph of text. This field allows alpha-numeric entries.

Use this field for recording a number you want to (potentially) perform calculations on in the future.

Record a currency value that you may want to report on later.

This field records date values represents a calendar picker, and supports date entry by text. This field uses the 'dd-mm-yyyy' format, and you can use this for filtering and reports.

Used to present a list of choices to the user. The user can only select ONE.

Used to present a drop-down list of pre-defined choices and also allows users to add choices on the fly. You can select only ONE option at a time.

Note: To be able to set the field up you need to add at least one option to the list.

Look-up (Multi)

Use the look-up multi field type when you want to present a list of predefined choices or add choices on the fly and allow for multiple selections at one time.

This field allows for an arbitrary person within the org to be named on a matter or contract, without being required to make them a member of the matter or contract.

Often used as a way to confirm that something has been completed. For example, 'check this to confirm that 'X' has happened.'

Used to present multiple choices to the user. The user can select MULTIPLE options.

This box allows you to present multiple choices to the user. They can select ONE.

Used to determine a range of options. You can set labels for the left, centre and right sides of the slider as well as determine the step size.

You don't make a field 'required' when creating it.

Once you assign the field to a matter type, then you can make it a 'required field.' This way, you can change the requirements as you use the field rather than embed it into the field directly.

See this article about 'Applying fields to matter types'

You can’t edit LawVu default fields in the library, BUT you can edit custom fields created for your organisation specifically. Any changes you make to a custom field in the library will flow down to all the instances of that field on matter/contract types and to the individual matters and contracts themselves.

Custom fields are applied to matter types, and matter types are used to create the structure of the matter.

Read this article to learn how to apply custom fields to a matter type

Ensure the Show in preview option is ticked to enable the field to appear in preview mode. The same system applies if you want the field to appear in the Scoping Fields and the Create Form - click the applicable checkbox.

If the matter is currently Active or On-hold, the fields will update. If you add or remove fields, those changes will take effect immediately.

If the matter is Complete, then the fields won't update by default. You need to make the matter active again (or move the contract out of 'expired' or 'void') for the fields to update.

For more information about updating fields per matter/contract type, click here.