Date Field-Based Rule Generation

To further automate rules, AbacusLaw has the ability to generate a specific rule for a matter when a date field is filled or edited. For example, when the date of separation is filled for a family law matter, a divorce rule could be triggered and related events scheduled. For another example, related events could be scheduled by a new case rule when the date of client retention is filled.

Creating the Date Field-Based Rule Generation Mechanism

The date field trigger for Date Field-Based Rule Generation is created on a matter screen.

1. Select File > Setup > User-defined Screens > Matter.

2. Highlight the matter screen and click Edit. The screen opens in the Screen Designer.

3. Right-click the date field that will be the trigger for the rule generation. The Field Properties window appears.

4. In the Valid condition field, enter
   CreateEventsFromRule(oDbf,"<name of rule>","<name of field>")
   
   For example, enter
   CreateEventsFromRule(oDbf,"NEWCASE","OPENED")
   if you want the NEWCASE rule to be triggered when the Opened field is populated.
   
   

5. Click Done.

Using Date Field-Based Rule Generation

Once the mechanism is in place for Date Field-Based Rule Generation, users initiate the rule by populating the trigger date field on the Matter window (using the appropriate screen).

For example, if the date field-based rule triggers the NEWCASE rule when the Opened field is populated, then the Rule Calculation window appears when the Opened field has a value.

Once the events from the rule are created, the date field no longer triggers the rule. However, if the value in the date field is changed, then AbacusLaw will prompt to recalculate the existing events.