Matter Configuration

The matter.json file is the heart of each template. It defines fields, folder structure, and behaviour.

Basic Structure

{
  "version": "2.0",
  "name": "Template Name",
  "description": "Template description",
  "defaultFolders": [...],
  "starterFiles": [...],
  "blocks": {...}
}

Top-Level Properties

version

Always "2.0" for current templates.

"version": "2.0"

name

Display name shown in the template list.

"name": "Estates"

description

Optional description shown below the name.

"description": "Deceased estates, probate, and administration"

defaultFolders

Folders created automatically when a new matter is made.

"defaultFolders": [
  "Correspondence/Incoming",
  "Correspondence/Outgoing",
  "Documents",
  "Court Documents",
  "Accounts",
  "Safe Custody"
]

Use / to create nested folders. Each path creates all parent folders automatically.

starterFiles

Files copied from a source location into new matters.

"starterFiles": [
  {
    "source": "Accounts/Office_Accounting.xlsx",
    "destination": "Accounts/Office_Accounting.xlsx"
  }
]

The source path is relative to the template folder. The destination is relative to the new matter folder.

Blocks

Blocks organise fields into logical sections.

"blocks": {
  "client": {
    "label": "Client Details",
    "fields": {...}
  },
  "matter": {
    "label": "Matter Details",
    "fields": {...}
  },
  "estate": {
    "label": "Estate Information",
    "fields": {...}
  }
}

Block Properties

Property	Description
`label`	Section heading shown in forms
`fields`	Object containing field definitions

Standard Blocks

Most templates should include:

client — Client contact information
matter — Common matter fields

Additional blocks depend on the practice area:

estate — Estates templates
property — Conveyancing templates
parties — Family law templates

Complete Example

Here’s a full matter.json for an Estates template:

{
  "version": "2.0",
  "name": "Estates",
  "description": "Deceased estates, probate, and administration",
  "defaultFolders": [
    "Correspondence/Incoming",
    "Correspondence/Outgoing",
    "Documents/Court",
    "Documents/Financial",
    "Accounts",
    "Safe Custody"
  ],
  "starterFiles": [
    {
      "source": "Accounts/Office_Accounting.xlsx",
      "destination": "Accounts/Office_Accounting.xlsx"
    }
  ],
  "blocks": {
    "client": {
      "label": "Client Details",
      "fields": {
        "title": {
          "type": "select",
          "label": "Title",
          "options": ["Mr", "Mrs", "Ms", "Dr"],
          "required": false
        },
        "given_names": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Given Names",
          "required": true
        },
        "surname": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Surname",
          "required": true
        },
        "full_name": {
          "type": "computed",
          "label": "Full Name"
        },
        "street_address": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Street Address",
          "required": true
        },
        "suburb": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Suburb",
          "required": true
        },
        "state": {
          "type": "select",
          "label": "State",
          "options": ["NSW", "VIC", "QLD", "SA", "WA", "TAS", "NT", "ACT"],
          "required": true,
          "default": "NSW"
        },
        "postcode": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Postcode",
          "required": true
        },
        "phone": {
          "type": "phone",
          "label": "Phone",
          "required": false
        },
        "email": {
          "type": "email",
          "label": "Email",
          "required": false
        }
      }
    },
    "matter": {
      "label": "Matter Details",
      "fields": {
        "file_reference": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "File Reference",
          "required": false
        },
        "re_line": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Re: Line",
          "required": true,
          "help": "Brief description for folder naming"
        }
      }
    },
    "estate": {
      "label": "Estate Information",
      "fields": {
        "deceased_title": {
          "type": "select",
          "label": "Deceased Title",
          "options": ["Mr", "Mrs", "Ms", "Dr"],
          "required": false
        },
        "deceased_given_names": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Deceased Given Names",
          "required": true
        },
        "deceased_surname": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Deceased Surname",
          "required": true
        },
        "deceased_full_name": {
          "type": "computed",
          "label": "Deceased Full Name"
        },
        "date_of_death": {
          "type": "date",
          "label": "Date of Death",
          "required": true
        },
        "date_of_birth": {
          "type": "date",
          "label": "Date of Birth",
          "required": false
        },
        "place_of_death": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Place of Death",
          "required": false
        },
        "last_address": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Last Known Address",
          "required": false
        },
        "has_will": {
          "type": "boolean",
          "label": "Deceased Left a Will",
          "required": false
        },
        "date_of_will": {
          "type": "date",
          "label": "Date of Will",
          "required": false
        },
        "executor_name": {
          "type": "text",
          "label": "Executor Name",
          "required": false
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Validation

Before deploying a new matter.json:

Check JSON syntax — Use a JSON validator
Test in Certum Draft — Go to Preferences → Templates → Test Templates
Create a test matter — Verify all fields appear correctly
Generate test documents — Confirm placeholders work

Common Issues

Template doesn’t appear

Check file is named exactly matter.json
Validate JSON syntax
Ensure version is "2.0"

Fields don’t show

Verify field is inside a blocks section
Check for missing commas in JSON
Ensure type is a valid field type

Placeholder shows [MISSING: …]

Field name in document doesn’t match matter.json
Field is in a different block than expected
Check for typos and case sensitivity