For law firms

Getting started with the COP Solicitor Workspace

Ten minutes from first look to a working matter list. This guide walks your team through setting up and trying the workspace — print it out or share the link.

Open the workspace

1. Explore the demo first — no sign-in needed

Open the workspace and press “Explore the demo”. You'll see sample matters with deadlines, stages and notes so you can try every feature straight away. Nothing you type in demo mode is real, and nothing leaves your device.

2. Create a free account

When you're ready, press “Sign in to start” and create an account with your work email. One account per fee-earner — each person who will use the workspace needs their own sign-in.

3. Start your free month

Press “Start free month”. No card is needed and there's nothing to cancel — the trial simply ends after 31 days. Every feature is included from day one.

4. Add your firm's name

Type your firm's name in the client-preparation packs box. It appears on every pack you download, so families see your branding, not ours.

5. Add your first matter

Use a reference, not a client name — for example “HJ-2026-014”. Pick the matter type, the stage, and the next deadline. Add a short note if it helps. Matters are sorted so the soonest deadline is always at the top.

6. Watch the deadline warnings

The three cards at the top show open matters, deadlines in the next 7 days, and anything overdue. Overdue matters are outlined in red so nothing slips.

7. Send a client-preparation pack

Before a first meeting, download the pack for the matter type and email it to the family. It tells them exactly what to gather — bank statements, property details, the people to notify — so they arrive prepared and you save time.

8. Print the matters list for team meetings

Press “Print matters list” for a tidy PDF of everything on the go, with stages and deadlines. Handy for Monday morning catch-ups.

9. Open a matter file and work the case

Press “Open file” on any matter. Inside you'll find tasks and dates, a preparation checklist, the COP forms tracker, a document list, the financial deputyship tracker, the case timeline, the comms log, time & fees, and (when signed in) the client portal.

10. Build a document pack for each case

In Packs, use the COP document builder: start from a template for the matter type, add or remove items, save your own templates for reuse, and download a case-specific filing checklist with progress shown.

11. Track P's finances

Open the Finance tab on a matter to record income, spending, assets and liabilities, and set the OPG annual report due date — the workspace warns you as it approaches. Never store bank or card details here.

12. Log calls, emails and meetings

The Comms log records each contact with a date and type, and lets you attach a follow-up action you can tick off when it's done — so nothing gets dropped.

13. Control who can see and change things

Under More tools, choose a role for whoever is using the workspace: Owner solicitor (full control), Fee earner (edit), Assistant (edit, no deletes) or Viewer (read-only). Every action is written to an audit log you can review.

What's inside a matter file

• Tasks & dates — everything to do, with due dates feeding your dashboard reminders.

• Checklist — preparation checklists per case type, with dated completion ticks.

• COP forms — status for COP1, COP1A, COP4, COP9 and more, with filed dates.

• Documents — a searchable library per matter, with real file uploads when signed in.

• Finance — P's income, spending, assets, liabilities, the OPG annual report deadline, and your fees as invoiceable work.

• Timeline — court dates, COP steps, documents and completed actions, newest first.

• Comms log — calls, emails, meetings and follow-up actions you can tick off.

• Time & fees — hours, disbursements, hourly rate and total fees.

• Client portal — a secure link so families can see updates, key dates, shared documents and tasks you set them.

Good to know

• Your data stays on your device. Matters and notes are saved in your own browser, not on Autizma's systems — use references, never client names.

• Nothing to install. The workspace runs in any modern browser, on office computers or laptops.

• Questions? Use the contact form on the site and mention the Solicitor Workspace — we reply within one working day.

General information, not legal advice. The Autizma COP Guide™ is made by Autizma.