CounselLink Answer Center for Clients

Matter Change Requests

  • Updated

This article covers the following:

Understanding Matter Change Requests

A Matter Change Request (MCR) allows you to modify the fee offer or fee structure for an individual matter.

You may need to initiate a Matter Change Request after the original fee offer has been approved and the matter(s) have been assigned. Modifications may be required if an error was discovered in the original offer or if case-specific details justify a change. Regardless of the reason, there are three ways to update the details of a fee offer or fee structure for a particular matter:

  • Fee Offer Change Request: Modify the currency, biller-level rates, or timekeeper rates.

  • Fee Structure Change Request: Modify the jurisdiction, law office, a fee structure variable, or the fee structure itself. Depending on your organization’s configuration, fee offers may also be updated as part of this process.

  • Variable Change Request: Used infrequently to modify variables such as the number of parties or case value. Depending on your organization’s configuration, fee offers may also be updated during this process.

When the terms of a fee offer change, a Matter Change Request is initiated. Depending on your organization’s configuration, either your organization or the law firm may initiate the request. Once submitted, the other party is notified and may be required to approve the request.

Changing the Fee Offer on Assigned Matters

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You must have the Matter Change Approval Contact to change a matter's fee offer.

  1. Click the Matters tab on the All Pages toolbar. The Matter Search page displays.
  2. Search for the matter.
  3. Click the matter link in the Matter Title column. The Matter Overview page displays.
  4. Click the Law Firms tab or Participants tab.

  5. Do one of the following:

    • In the Law Firms Assignment section, select the check box for the law firm, then click Change Request.

      The Change Request button displays if your organization is configured to allow it.

    • In the Participants section, select the check box for the law firm, then click More Actions > Fee Change Request.

      You can change the fee structure from the Participants tab only if your organization is configured to allow it. Otherwise, law firm must be managed from Law Firms tab.

    The Matter Change Request window displays.

  6. Select Modify Offered Fees Request.
  7. Click OK. The Matter Change Request - Modify Offered Fees Confirmation page displays.
  8. Make changes to the fee offer details in any of the following sections:
    • Fee Offer section: Select a new currency. Click Yes if you want to convert the existing monetary amounts to the new currency. Click Save.
    • Stage Structure section: Make changes to the Proposed Amount.
    • Timekeeper Rates section: Make changes to the timekeeper rates.
  9. Select a reason for the change request.
  10. In the Describe the reason for request* box, type the description for the selected reason for change request.

  11. Click Save.

    THE MCR - Confirm dialog box appears.

  12. Optional: Adjust the effective date of the change request.

    This option allows you to retroactively apply matter level negotiated rates/fees, retroactively apply fee structure changes to matter, and retroactively update timekeeper rates. All records of the change are available on the History tab and the Matter Change Report.

    Access to this functionality requires configuration by a LexisNexis administrator. For more information, contact CounselLink Customer Support.

  13. Click OK to complete the change request and to apply the modified rates and terms to the matter.

    The Matter Overview page displays.

Changing a Matter's Fee Structure

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A Matter Change Request also allows you to update the fee structure details for a law firm on an individual matter. You may modify information such as jurisdiction, fee amount, fee type, or timekeeper rates.

Changes may be necessary to correct an error in the original offer or to reflect new case details. Once initiated, the other party is notified, and follow-up emails are sent as needed to resolve the request.

You must have the Matter Change Approval Contact role to perform this action.

  1. Click the Matters tab in the top navigation bar. The Matter Search page displays.

  2. Search for the relevant matter.

  3. Click the matter link in the Matter Title column. The Matter Overview page opens.

  4. Click the Law Firms tab or the Participants tab.

Do one of the following:

  • In the Law Firms Assignment section, select the check box for the appropriate law firm and click Change Request.

    • The Change Request button appears only if your organization is configured to allow it.

OR

  • In the Participants section, select the check box for the appropriate law firm and click More Actions > Fee Change Request.

    • You can change the fee structure from the Participants tab only if your organization is configured to allow it. Otherwise, the law firm must be managed from the Law Firms tab.

  1. The Matter Change Request window displays.

  2. Select Fee Structure Change Request, then click OK.

    • The Matter Change Request: Fee Structure Change Request screen displays.

  3. Complete or update all applicable fields, including those marked with an asterisk (*), which indicate required entries.

    Field Description
    Fee Structure Office Select the office location responsible for the matter.
    State and County If the jurisdiction has changed, select the new state and county. For non-jurisdictional changes, select N/A.
    Fee Structure Select a fee structure from the list. The law firm must have an approved fee offer for the selected structure.

  4. Click Continue.

    • The Matter Change Request: Fee Structure Change Requested page opens.

    • If issues are detected, the Unable to Process Fee Structure Change Request screen displays. Cancel the request or submit a new one as needed.

  5. In the Current Fees section, review the existing fee structure.

  6. In the Fees Proposed by {Law Firm Name} section:

    • (Optional) Select a new currency from the Fee Offer Currency list.

    • If prompted, click Yes to convert existing monetary amounts to the new currency, then click Save.

  7. Complete all other required fields (marked with *).

  8. In the Reason section:

    • Select a value from the Reason for Request list.

    • In the Describe the reason for request* field, enter a description.

  9. Click Save to update the fee structure.

For additional assistance, contact CounselLink Customer Support.