Irish Legal Toolkit

Full how-to · Every free-core tool

How to use each free-core tool

Irish Legal Toolkit · UI says Clients / Client hub (not Matters) · Companions: First hour · Technical manual · Contact: philipmanning1992@gmail.com

Practice support only. Not legal advice. Review everything before issue or filing.

How tools fit together

  1. Open or create a client (client file).
  2. Fill File essentials on the Client hub.
  3. Open a tool from Continue this file, the hub Tools tab, or left-nav Tools.
  4. Work the tool's tabs. Most tools auto-save (look for "All changes saved").
  5. Use Export / Produce to get Word, PDF, or ZIP.
  6. Return to the Client hub for the next step.

Firm-level tools (no single client required first): Firm Compliance, Conflict Check Register, Deadline diary / Calendar, Letters hub (templates). Client-file tools open on a specific file.

Client hub (not a tool, but you use it every day)

Open

Clients → click a row, or Home → New client.

Main tabs

File · Completion (purchase/sale files) · Tools · More details · Dates · Documents · Forms · Links

File essentials

On File, fill and save:

  1. Client name
  2. Property address
  3. Purchase / sale price
  4. Instruction date
  5. Target completion

Produce

Produce form · Produce letter · open Documents when needed.

Completion (closing week)

  1. Open Completion.
  2. Work Completion stages and Funds control as shown.
  3. Closing packs: Prepare client pack · Build lender ZIP · CoT PDF.

These packs are not a separate Tools app - they live here.

1. Client intake

Purpose

Structured open-file intake: parties, property, funding notes, conflicts screening step, AML-style checklist items, fees, dates. Pushes data into the client hub and other tools when finalised.

When to use

New purchase or sale when you want a full intake pass, not only the five File essentials.

How to open

Firm hub steps

  1. Open the intake tool hub.
  2. Choose Quick mode or Full mode.
  3. Start intake wizard (or Resume a draft).
  4. Work through the steps (typical order): Client details → Case type & scope → Property / transaction → Opposing party / solicitors (full) → Funding / source of funds → Conflicts screening → AML / KYC checklist → Fees & terms → Important dates → Notes → Review & Finalize.
  5. Finalise to create or update the client file.

On an existing client file

Open intake from the hub Tools list. Use Overview, Preview, Export, History as shown. Export when you need a pack of intake docs.

Honesty

Not a formal AML or conflict compliance system. Solicitor remains responsible.

2. Contract for Sale

Purpose

Hold contract-for-sale data (parties, property, conditions, searches linkage) and export drafts from templates on the file.

When to use

After essentials, when preparing or tracking the contract stage.

How to open

Client hub → Continue this file (often lands here early) or Tools → Contract for Sale.

Tabs (typical)

Overview · Form · Conditions · Searches · Preview · Compare · Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open the tool on the client file.
  2. Confirm parties and property (import from hub if offered).
  3. Fill Form fields for the transaction.
  4. Add or edit Conditions.
  5. Use Searches linkage if your file tracks them here.
  6. Preview, then Export / Generate & Export.
  7. Optional: Load sample only on training files.

Honesty

Template versions may be labelled draft. Verify against current Law Society / firm CFS practice. Not legal advice.

3. Searches & Due Diligence

Purpose

Checklist of searches, findings, reminders, and diligence exports on the client file.

When to use

Pre-contract through pre-completion whenever searches are ordered or results arrive.

Tabs

Overview · Checklist · Findings · Reminders · Preview · Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open on the client.
  2. On Checklist, mark which searches are required / ordered / received.
  3. Record Findings (use Save finding when offered).
  4. Set Reminders for chases.
  5. Import from hub/other tools if the panel offers Import.
  6. Export a diligence pack when needed.

4. Requisitions on Title

Purpose

Raise and track requisitions, replies, and rejoinders; export related packs.

When to use

When exchanging title queries with the other side.

Tabs

Overview · Checklist · Searches · Replies · Rejoinders · Preview · Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open on the client.
  2. Work the Checklist of requisition items.
  3. Record Replies and Rejoinders as correspondence progresses.
  4. Use Import from … if Contract for Sale / other tools offer context.
  5. Watch Overview for completion blockers.
  6. Export when sending or filing a pack.

Note: Undertakings Register can import from ROT flagged items into undertakings - after you have ROT data saved.

5. Stamp Duty Calculator

Purpose

Estimate Irish stamp duty, model reliefs and scenarios, produce client or prep documents.

When to use

Whenever you need stamp duty figures or a prep pack for the file. Not live Revenue ROS filing.

How to open

Tabs (typical)

Calculator · Reliefs · First-time buyer · Scenarios · Payment · Documents. Toggle Simple view if you want fewer panels.

Step-by-step

  1. Open on the client (or run Quick calculator from the hub for a one-off).
  2. Enter consideration / property type / rates as fields require.
  3. Apply Reliefs / First-time buyer as relevant.
  4. Compare Scenarios if modelling alternatives.
  5. Note Payment planning fields if used.
  6. Export package or generate Documents.
  7. File through Revenue ROS yourself - this app only prepares numbers and packs.

Honesty

Legal disclaimer on the Calculator tab. Prep only.

6. Closing Statement

Purpose

Apportionments, mortgage redemption lines, statement of account style figures for completion.

When to use

Building completion figures for client or other side.

Tabs

Overview · Apportionments · Mortgage · Statement · What-If · Preview · Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open on the client near completion.
  2. Import from hub / stamp duty / other tools when offered.
  3. Enter Apportionments (rates, rent, service charges as fields allow).
  4. Fill Mortgage redemption / funds lines.
  5. Review Statement and What-If scenarios.
  6. Preview → Export or ZIP from Export panel.

7. PRA Builder

Purpose

Prepare Property Registration Authority (Tailte Éireann) application packs and mapped form prep on the file.

When to use

When assembling registration applications and supporting lodgement documents.

Screens

Case details · Applications · Property · Documents Lodged · Notes · header Preview / Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open on the client.
  2. Confirm Property and parties from hub data.
  3. Configure Applications (form types as listed).
  4. Track Documents Lodged (supporting checklist - not always the form PDF itself).
  5. Use Preview, then Export.
  6. For official forms autofill, also use Client hub Forms tab where mapped (LR Form 2/3, LR 17, etc.).

Honesty

Prep and autofill assist. You still review and file via official channels.

8. Title Defects Resolver

Purpose

Track title defects, investigation steps, and generate resolution / advice-style documents.

When to use

When title issues need a structured file note and draft advice, not a sticky email chain.

Hub

Cases · Templates · Recent documents · Guide

Matter tabs

Overview · Investigation · Defects · Resolver · Scenarios · Generate · Templates · Guide · Archive · Export

Step-by-step

  1. Open hub or client tool.
  2. Record each Defect.
  3. Work Investigation checklist items.
  4. Use Resolver / Scenarios for options.
  5. Generate a document from templates.
  6. Export and store on the file.
  7. Solicitor reviews before anything is sent to a client.

9. Leasehold & MUD

Purpose

Leasehold and multi-unit development checklists, compliance notes, calculators, and generate/export.

When to use

Apartments, managed developments, leasehold titles where MUD-style diligence applies.

Hub

Template library · Favourites · Guide · Archive · Cases

Matter tabs (typical)

Overview · Property · Checklist · Compliance · Lease review · Calculators · Trackers · Queries · Generate · Templates · Execution · Export · History

Step-by-step

  1. Attach or open on the client.
  2. Confirm Property.
  3. Work Checklist and Compliance.
  4. Use Lease review / Calculators as needed.
  5. Log Queries / Trackers.
  6. Generate from templates → Export.

Honesty

Assist only. Not legal advice.

10. Statutory Declarations

Purpose

Draft declarations/affidavits from templates with file merge; export Word/PDF.

When to use

When you need a declaration shell filled from known client data.

Hub

Template library · Favourites · Guide · Archive · Cases

Matter tabs

Overview · Generate · Templates · Guide · Archive · Export · History

Step-by-step

  1. Open hub or client tool.
  2. Pick a template on Templates (or from the hub library).
  3. Open Generate, confirm merged fields.
  4. Edit body text if the editor allows.
  5. Export DOCX/PDF.
  6. Review fully before swearing or filing.

11. Letters & Notices

Purpose

Firm letter types, placeholders, Word/PDF export, archive of generated letters.

When to use

Day-to-day correspondence: updates, funds requests, notices, chases.

How to open

Hub tabs

Template library · Favourites · Guide · Archive · Cases

Matter tabs

Overview · Generate · Templates · Guide · Archive · Export · History

Step-by-step

  1. Prefer File essentials filled first.
  2. Open Generate (or Produce letter).
  3. Select a letter type/template.
  4. If multiple clients share Letters, pick the case when asked.
  5. Preview merge fields.
  6. Export Word or PDF.
  7. For house style: upload firm DOCX via template customiser / Document Hub (Client hub Documents → Templates) when that path is shown.
  8. Open Archive on the hub to find past letters (click through to the client workspace).

Honesty

Draft assist. Solicitor reads before issue.

12. Deadline diary & Calendar

Purpose

Firm-wide diary of key dates with risk colouring; feeds left-nav Calendar; matter-level deadlines; ICS export.

When to use

Any critical date across the firm; daily diary habit.

How to open

Hub / Calendar

Month / week / day views, agenda, panels such as Today · Overdue · This week. Download firm .ics / Export for Google for Outlook or Google Calendar import.

Matter tabs

Overview · Deadlines · Calendar · Reminders · Critical path · Library · Export · History

Step-by-step

  1. Add or edit Deadlines on the client (due date, title, priority).
  2. Save.
  3. Open left-nav Calendar to see firm view.
  4. Use filters / risk colours as shown.
  5. To merge into Google/Outlook: Download firm .ics → import in the calendar app (Settings → Import).
  6. Re-export after major changes (not live two-way sync).

Honesty

Verify dates against contracts and correspondence. ICS is a file export only.

13. Undertakings Register

Purpose

Track undertakings given and received: due dates, chase flags, firm register, export.

When to use

Whenever an undertaking is given or received so it is not only in email.

Firm hub

Tools → Undertakings Register: stats cards, filters, Given / Received tabs, firm calendar of due dates, Export filtered CSV.

Matter tabs

Overview · Undertakings · Entry · Calendar · Library · Chase · Export · History

Step-by-step

  1. Create or open an undertakings case / attach the tool on a client.
  2. Overview: optional Import from CFS / Import from ROT when those tools have data.
  3. Undertakings → Add undertaking (Given or Received).
  4. Fill title, counterparty, due date, status; set Chase if needed.
  5. Entry form for full detail; Mark breached when required.
  6. Log Chase activity on Chase tab.
  7. Firm hub: click stats (Overdue, Chase required) to filter; Export filtered CSV.
  8. Matter Export: register PDF/Word/Excel, chase letters, ZIP package.

Honesty

Tracking assist. Confirm against file notes and correspondence.

14. Firm Compliance

Purpose

Firm-level reminder board: PC, PI, AML policy, CPD, accounts year-end style items.

When to use

Practice hygiene - not a client-file tool.

How to open

Tools → Firm Compliance (single screen).

Step-by-step

  1. Open the hub.
  2. Add item - title, category, due date, notes.
  3. Watch the register for upcoming / overdue.
  4. Mark done when complete; Reopen if needed.
  5. Delete only when the item is obsolete.

Honesty

Reminders only. Not a compliance officer replacement.

15. AML open-file checklist

Purpose

Per-client open-file CDD checklist, risk rating, open-file approval; hub of incomplete files.

When to use

Open-file and periodic review of CDD notes on each file.

How to open

Step-by-step

  1. Open checklist on the client (or from incomplete list).
  2. Tick items (identity, address, source of funds, PEP/sanctions note, etc.).
  3. Set risk rating (low / medium / high).
  4. Record open-file approval when ready.
  5. Add notes.
  6. Save.
  7. Hub drops the file from "incomplete" when the tool marks complete.

Honesty

Not live sanctions/PEP screening. Not eIDAS identity verification. Practice checklist only. You remain responsible for CDD under Irish AML law.

16. Conflict Check Register

Purpose

Search names against open client files in this install, record result (clear / possible conflict / escalated), notes, fee earner. Firm recent-check register.

When to use

Before accepting instructions (and as a file note on open).

How to open

Tools → Conflict Check Register, or client Tools → Conflict check.

Step-by-step

  1. Enter one or more names (one per line or comma-separated).
  2. Run search.
  3. Read match cards (which field matched - client name, opposing party, vendor, etc.).
  4. If none: message is "No matching names in open matters" style - not a legal "no conflict" certificate.
  5. Choose result: Clear / Possible conflict / Escalated.
  6. Add notes; fee earner name if asked.
  7. Save check.
  8. Review Recent checks on the hub; on a client, see Checks on this case.

Honesty

Only this firm's open files in this database. Misses aliases, closed files, other offices, paper registers. Solicitor judgment decides instruction or escalation.

Client hub Forms tab (related)

Not a free-core tool id, but often used with PRA / stamp:

  1. Open client → Forms.
  2. Pick a form (for example LR Form 3, SD1).
  3. Read the banner (fetch vs prep pack).
  4. Autofill → export.
  5. SD1 style returns: prep only; you file online yourself.

Optional modules (brief)

Wills, inheritance tax, court bundle, farm, client account, time billing, family law stay off until Settings → Tools. This how-to does not cover them until your firm enables them deliberately.

Practice tool only. Not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Law Society of Ireland.

Download First hour guide Technical manual

Questions: philipmanning1992@gmail.com

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