Matter status
Pick up the latest instruction, the reply and the question still open. Give counsel and the team the same place to begin.
A reply changes the work
The client has replied, but only part of the instruction is settled. Before the call, someone needs to connect that reply to the earlier proposal and identify what still needs an answer.
A useful handover gives the assistant a clear preparation task and counsel a focused decision. It keeps the current instruction beside the correspondence that supports it.
NISI brings the matter position, sources and prepared work together. Here, Alex answers the question about time. The transport question becomes the next item for counsel.
The time is settled with Alex. The response to the other parent still needs your direction.
The Harbour matter
Follow the position from an unanswered proposal to a focused question for counsel.
Friday at 5:00 pm is proposed for the exchange. Counsel’s instruction is to obtain Alex’s position before preparing a response.
“Ask Alex whether Friday at 5:00 pm works. Confirm the transport arrangement before putting forward a response.”
Alex confirms the time. Continuing to chase that answer would miss the remaining issue: collection arrangements.
“Friday at 5:00 pm works for me. I cannot collect them from school that day. Can the other parent bring them?”
Current position: Alex accepts Friday at 5:00 pm and asks whether the other parent can provide transport. No agreement with the other parent is established.
Question for counsel: Confirm Alex’s acceptable collection arrangements, then settle the response to the proposal.
Source trail: Counsel’s preparation instruction; Alex’s later reply.
Start with the position before Alex’s reply.
Fictional demonstration. Nothing is sent, filed or scheduled. Resets when you reload.
No. Its significance depends on the issue and instruction. A duplicate changes little; a reply answering one question can change the next task while leaving another unresolved.
Identify the document and its state: drafted, reviewed, approved or sent. Preparing the call brief does not mean the response has been approved or communicated.
The matter position explains one file. The Line presents the work requiring attention, with the relevant source and prepared response available for counsel’s direction.
Explore the sources, preparation and decisions your team needs to keep together.