If the principal of the matter changes, you can change it by first adding a new principal as a party and then selecting “Set as Principal” from the ribbon. The Parties folder shows a list of customers involved in the matter and their roles. The principal added to the matter is by default listed as the main party and 100 % payer. 

Also add payers and other relevant parties to the list. It is advisable to save party information carefully so that, for example, information about opponents can be used in conflict checks. 

To add a new party to the matter:

1. Select the Link button from the ribbon, which opens the Party window. 
2. Enter the party’s name or part of it in the Party field and press Enter. You can change the party type (company/private person) by clicking the icon in the field. If the search does not find the party in the software, select the magnifying glass to open the Look Up Records window. 
   • Search for the customer by entering the name or part of it in the Search for Records field.  
   • If no results are found, create a new customer with the New button.
     
     
      
3. If you create the party as a completely new customer, fill in the required information. If the party was already saved in the software, you do not need to fill in the fields unless you want to override the customer’s saved information for this matter. This may be necessary if, for example, a contact different from the customer’s information needs to be specified for the matter. 
   • If it is a legal aid matter, also complete the Legal Aid tab for the party. 
     
     
   • If it is a matter covered by a legal expenses insurance, also complete the Insurance tab for the party. 
     
     
      
4. Add all other parties to the matter in the same way. 
5. After adding parties to the Parties list, mark the roles of the different parties in the matter. If none of the options fit, write a free-format clarification of the role in the Description column. 
6. Define payers’ payment shares as needed. 
   
   
   • If the matter has multiple payers, the payable share appears both on the front page of the default invoice template and after the Total row on the specification page. 
7. If necessary, define a matter-specific invoicing address or discount percentage for parties in the Party window.

You can remove unnecessary parties with the red Remove button, as long as no invoices have been created for them. This does not remove the customer from the software, only from the parties in the matter.