#Short answer
A matter is the Beagle record for a case, file, engagement, or project. In some technical areas Beagle calls this a “project,” but in law-office terms it is the matter where time, tasks, documents, billing, deadlines, evidence, and litigation information are organized.
Practice note: Closed matters often still contain important billing, deadline, evidence, and history records. Archive rather than delete unless you are certain deletion is appropriate.
#How to use this in practice
- Open the relevant Beagle section or setting described above.
- Confirm you are working in the correct firm, client, matter, or date range.
- Enter or review the information carefully before saving, billing, exporting, or relying on the record.
- If the item affects billing, trust funds, deadlines, or case history, review it a second time before sending anything to a client or using it for a report.
#What to watch for
- Beagle is designed to preserve law-office context. Prefer accurate, plain-language descriptions over shorthand only you understand.
- If a record is connected to billing, a client, or a matter, changes may affect reports, invoices, or matter history.
- When in doubt, archive inactive records rather than deleting them.