# Legal Document Management System - User Guide

## Overview

The Legal Document Management System provides comprehensive document management capabilities for law firms and courts, including version control, templates, matter management, workflows, and court filings.

## Getting Started

### Accessing the System

1. Navigate to the MCP Legal application
2. Log in with your credentials
3. You'll see the main dashboard with access to:
   - Documents
   - Legal Matters
   - Templates
   - Workflows
   - Court Filings

## Document Management

### Creating Documents

1. Click "New Document" button
2. Enter document title
3. Select document type (Legal, Treaty, Finance, History)
4. Add content or upload file
5. Optionally link to a legal matter
6. Click "Create"

### Document Versioning

- Every document edit creates a new version
- View version history: Click "History" icon on any document
- Compare versions: Select two versions to compare
- Restore version: Click "Restore" on any previous version

### Document Checkout

- Checkout a document to lock it for editing
- Only you can edit while checked out
- Check in when done to release the lock
- Checkouts expire after 24 hours (configurable)

## Template Library

### Using Templates

1. Go to Template Library
2. Browse or search templates
3. Click "Use Template"
4. Enter variable values
5. Preview the generated document
6. Generate and save

### Creating Templates

1. Click "New Template"
2. Enter template name and description
3. Write template content using `{{variable}}` syntax
4. Save template

## Legal Matters

### Creating a Matter

1. Click "New Matter"
2. Enter matter number and title
3. Add description and matter type
4. Set status and priority
5. Save

### Managing Matter Documents

1. Open a matter
2. Go to "Documents" tab
3. Click "Link Document" to add existing documents
4. Or create new documents directly in the matter

### Matter Participants

1. Open a matter
2. Go to "Participants" tab
3. Click "Add Participant"
4. Select user and role (Lead Counsel, Associate, etc.)

## Document Assembly

### Assembly Wizard

1. Go to Document Assembly
2. Select a template
3. Enter variable values
4. Preview the generated document
5. Generate and save

### Clause Assembly

1. Select multiple clauses from the clause library
2. Enter variables for each clause
3. Preview assembled document
4. Generate final document

## Workflows

### Creating Workflows

1. Open a document
2. Click "Create Workflow"
3. Select workflow type (Approval, Review, Signing)
4. Add workflow steps
5. Assign each step to users or roles
6. Set due dates

### Approving/Rejecting Steps

1. Go to "My Workflows" or open document workflow
2. View pending steps assigned to you
3. Click "Approve" or "Reject"
4. Add comments if needed
5. Submit

## Court Filings

### Creating a Filing

1. Open a matter
2. Go to "Court Filings" tab
3. Click "New Filing"
4. Select document to file
5. Enter court information
6. Set filing deadline
7. Submit

### Tracking Filings

- View filing status (Draft, Submitted, Accepted, Rejected)
- See upcoming deadlines
- Track filing confirmations

## Collaboration

### Comments

1. Open a document
2. Click "Add Comment"
3. Enter comment text
4. Optionally highlight text or add annotation
5. Save comment

### Review Assignments

1. Assign document for review
2. Reviewer receives notification
3. Reviewer adds comments
4. Comments can be resolved when addressed

## Search

### Basic Search

1. Use search bar at top
2. Enter search terms
3. Results show matching documents

### Advanced Search

1. Click "Advanced Search"
2. Add filters (type, date range, matter, etc.)
3. Execute search
4. Save search for later use

## Reports and Export

### Exporting Documents

1. Open a document
2. Click "Export"
3. Select format (PDF, DOCX, TXT, JSON)
4. Choose options (include versions, audit log, etc.)
5. Download

### Compliance Reports

1. Open a document
2. Click "Compliance Report"
3. View access log, retention status, audit summary
4. Export report if needed

## Best Practices

1. **Version Control**: Always create versions for significant changes
2. **Checkout**: Use checkout when making extensive edits
3. **Templates**: Create templates for frequently used documents
4. **Matters**: Organize documents by linking to matters
5. **Workflows**: Use workflows for approval processes
6. **Comments**: Use comments for collaboration instead of email
7. **Search**: Use tags and proper titles for better searchability

## Troubleshooting

### Document Not Found
- Check if you have access permissions
- Verify document ID is correct

### Cannot Edit Document
- Check if document is checked out by another user
- Verify you have edit permissions

### Workflow Not Progressing
- Check if all required steps are completed
- Verify step assignments are correct

### Filing Failed
- Verify court information is correct
- Check document format meets court requirements
- Review error message for details

