Getting started with Matter
Use this path when a workspace is new or when a practice wants to confirm the setup before sending clients into the portal.
1. Confirm the workspace basics
Open the Matter agent portal and check:
- Team: staff who need access are in the workspace.
- Portal Settings: the client-facing name and branding look correct.
- Outgoing Email: the practice mailbox is ready if the team will send updates from Matter.
- Document Storage: the storage destination is connected if uploaded files should be copied to an external document store.
You can replay setup guidance from Setup & Tours in the agent portal.
2. Create contacts and organisations
Create the people and organisations before opening the case if you already know them. That makes the case easier to assign and keeps client access clean.
For migration matters, this usually means the primary applicant, sponsor contact, employer, or family members who need to be referenced by the case.
3. Create the case
Go to Cases and choose New case.
Pick the closest case template, then complete the main case details. A good template should set up the expected parties, client access, document areas, and starting document requests. Add document groups after the case exists.
4. Check access before sharing
Open the case and review who can see it.
Most cases should grant client portal access only to the primary applicant and any sponsor contact who needs to act. Other people can still be referenced by the case without receiving portal access.
5. Review document requests
Open the case Requests section. Confirm the requests are right for the case before asking the client to upload anything.
Use Add document group to apply a data collection pack when the case needs a standard evidence set. Add one-off requests from request templates when only a single evidence item is needed.
Add, remove, or adjust requests until the live case reflects what the team actually needs. Request templates and data collection packs are starting points for reusable wording and grouping.
6. Send the client to the portal
When the case is ready, send the client their portal access. The client portal shows the case, open requests, and files they are allowed to see.
The client does not need to understand Matter’s internal setup. They need clear requests, clear upload instructions, and a visible next action.