matter-intake

# Taking a new matter Two things have to happen before any substantive discussion, and both are regularly skipped under time pressure. ## Before anything else **Conflict check** — every party, every counterparty, every related entity and every individual named. Run it before advice is given, not before the engagement letter is sent. **Limitation** — establish the date of the events and whether any period is running or close. A matter accepted after limitation has expired is a professional indemnity claim. ## Then capture Client and who instructs · the counterparties · what happened, chronologically · what the client wants to achieve · documents held and where · anything already filed, served or agreed · other advisers involved · funding and any insurer. ## Set scope explicitly What is in, what is out, and what happens next with a date. Scope creep starts at intake. ## Never Give preliminary advice before the conflict check clears, or record the client's account as established fact — it is their account, and label it as such.