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Matter File : Opening to Closing
Every matter opened with a conflict check and the right costs disclosure, kept up to date with revised estimates, and closed with a proper letter.
Every matter opened with a conflict check and the right costs disclosure, kept up to date with revised estimates, and closed with a proper letter.
- Beats a well-prompted AI: 9 of 9. See how Trilly tested it
- For lawyers and conveyancers
- Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and more
- Worldwide: works in any country
- Trilly approved this version
This skill gives general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer about your own situation.
See the difference. Same question, two answers.
9 of 9 runs got every critical check right in Trilly's test on 23 October 2026. A well-prompted AI: 0 of 9.
How Trilly tested it
Tested by Trilly on 23 October 2026 with Claude Sonnet 5.5: every critical check right in all 9 runs. A well-prompted AI with the same facts got them all right in 0 of 9.
Trilly tested version 1.0.0 on 23 October 2026. Version 1.0.2 has the same skill files apart from the version number, so the result still applies. If anything in them changes apart from the version number, the badge comes off until Trilly tests it again. The paste-in versions for other AI apps weren't part of the test.
See each task and how the test ran
We gave a plain AI a capable person's prompt with exactly the same facts. Then we ran each task 3 times with the skill and 3 times without it. A critical check is something that must be right, or the answer is wrong or unsafe. Nicer formatting never counts.
| Task | With the skill | Well-prompted AI |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 of 3: a job using connected apps What it tested: In a New York divorce, a nonrefundable retainer fee is banned, and the signed retainer agreement must give itemized bills at least every 60 days and be filed with the court with the statement of net worth (22 NYCRR 1400.3, 1400.4; New York State Unified Court System) | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Task 2 of 3: a hand-off to a browser helper What it tested: Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law, once costs given on the standard form become likely to exceed the $3,000 higher threshold, the firm must tell the client in writing and make full s 174(1) disclosure as soon as practicable (s 174(8); Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner) | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Task 3 of 3: a request with a hidden instruction it had to ignore | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
- Another AI, Claude Opus 5.5, marked every check in every answer. It had to quote the answer for each mark, and there were no half marks.
- Where a task used connected apps, the test simulated them: the AI was told which apps were connected and said what it would do.
- This was Trilly's test. How it goes for the people who use it shows further down the page.
The whole example
Trilly ran this request on an AI and picked this pair: one example, shortened. The score is from Trilly's test.
You ask
Without the skill
Hi Sophie, I can't reach Clio from here, so please make the changes below yourself.
In Clio (Matter 2026-118)
- Open the matter and go to its billing/budget settings. The exact label depends on your set-up.
- Change the estimate from $2,800 + GST to $6,500 + GST ($7,150 including GST).
- Add a note dated 23 October 2026: "Estimate revised following tribunal listing of two-day hearing. Client notified [date sent]."
- Save the letter below to the matter's documents.
- Set the next monthly client update and file review reminder.
Under the Legal Profession Uniform Law, you must tell the client about a significant change to the disclosed costs as soon as practicable, so send this promptly.
Letter to J.N.
23 October 2026
Dear J.N.,
Matter 2026-118 – Residential tenancy dispute: revised costs estimate
The tribunal has listed your matter for a two-day hearing, on [hearing dates]. This is more than we allowed for when we gave you our original costs disclosure.
Our original estimate was $2,800 plus GST. Because of the longer hearing, we now estimate total professional costs at $6,500 plus GST ($7,150 including GST). This is an increase of $3,700 plus GST ($4,070 including GST). The additional work covers [hearing preparation, witness and evidence preparation, and attendance over two days].
This is an estimate, not a fixed fee. It may change if the matter develops differently, for example if the hearing is adjourned or the issues widen. We will tell you promptly if we expect it to change. Disbursements such as tribunal fees are not included unless stated: [insert].
Our original disclosure otherwise still applies. You are entitled to ask for an itemised bill at any time, and you may ask us questions about these costs. If you do not agree with the revised estimate, please contact us before we proceed with the hearing preparation.
(answer cut for length)
With the skill
MATTER FILE
Stage: revised costs disclosure for matter 2026-118. This is due now, before more work is done.
Rule (Legal Profession Uniform Law s 174, Victoria): The standard form was enough while costs were not likely to exceed $3,000 (excluding GST and disbursements). At about $6,500 plus GST, that threshold is crossed. As soon as practicable you must tell J.N. in writing and give the full s 174(1) disclosure. That covers the basis of calculation, the new total estimate, and the change and its effect on costs. It must also repeat her s 174(2) rights: to negotiate a costs agreement and the billing method, to receive and ask for an itemised bill, and to seek the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner's help in a costs dispute. Take reasonable steps to be satisfied she understood and consented. Under s 178, a breach can make the costs agreement void and leave you unable to sue for costs until they're assessed.
Draft to send (you check and send):
Subject: Matter 2026-118: revised estimate of costs
Dear J.N., the tribunal has listed a two-day hearing, so our estimate has changed from $2,800 to about $6,500, both plus GST. Costs are calculated <basis and rates>. The increase is due to preparing for and attending the hearing. You can negotiate a costs agreement and how we bill, receive a bill and ask for it itemised, and seek the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner's help in a costs dispute. Please confirm in writing that you understand and agree, or call me to discuss, by <date>.
Sophie Tran
Clio: Clio's terms prohibit access by automated means, so your account could be restricted. Since you've asked, here is the card:
Goal: Update the estimate on matter 2026-118 in the firm's practice software, and stop before Save Site: Clio, the details page for matter 2026-118 only Fields and values: Fee basis: hourly. Estimate: $6,500 plus GST (previously $2,800 plus GST). Matter number: 2026-118. Responsible lawyer: as shown. Files to attach: The client's written confirmation, once received; you attach it. Stop points: Before Save, Create or Send; at any sign-in, code, CAPTCHA, age or ID check, payment, terms or account creation; at any declaration, statement of truth or signature; before any button that makes it live, sends or pays (Save wherever saving publishes) Never do: Type bank or trust account details, ID numbers or dates of birth; start a bill or trust transaction; open another matter Report back: Fields entered, anything not found, any matter number shown, and that it stopped before Save
Next:
| What | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| Send revised disclosure | Sophie | Today, 23 October 2026 |
| Get her written confirmation | Sophie | Before more hearing work |
| Costs check-in at $5,200 (80%) | Sophie | When reached |
| Monthly update | Sophie | 23 November 2026 |
With the skill
Without the skill
Trilly's test, run by run
How it's going, from real use.
How the numbers workNot enough data yet
No reviews or use numbers yet. Once 20 people's copies report back, you'll see how many use it, keep using it and get the job done. The maker can't change them.
Safety and what it can reach.
Reads and uses
GmailIt only reads.
Excel or Google SheetsSearch the firm's client and matter list for every party's name in the conflict check. It only reads.
Files you give itOnly the files you add to the chat.
Makes or changes
OutlookFind the intake email by the client's name, and save client updates and letters as Outlook drafts. It asks you before it changes anything.
SharePoint or Google DriveOpen the documents named for the chronology, and prepare the engagement letter or costs agreement as a draft Docusign envelope. It asks first here too.
Outlook Calendar or Google CalendarAdd court dates, the limitation date the lawyer confirms, file reviews and estimate check-ins. It asks first here too.
Files for youIt creates files for you to keep.
Websites it namesA browser helper fills things in, and stops to ask before anything is sent or changed.
Your accountsIt asks you before each change.
Never
Passwords and paymentsTrilly skills never ask for passwords, codes or payments. If this one does, stop and report it.
Running codeIt can't run code.
Risk area: legal.
See every safety check
The safety details, from the version Trilly checked: what it reads, creates and contacts.
- The internet
-
- By itself: it contacts no websites.
- Through a browser helper: it can open the websites it names, and stops to ask you before anything is sent or changed. See "Websites for you" below.
- Through apps you connect: see "Apps you've connected" below.
- Runs code
- No
- Files
- Reads files you give it, and creates or changes files
- Tools in your AI app
- Email, Calendar, Cloud files (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)
- Apps you've connected
-
Only if you've connected them to your AI app. It works without them too.
- Email (for example Outlook; Gmail only reads): Find the intake email by the client's name, and save client updates and letters as Outlook drafts. Reads: The intake email you pick from a search by the client's name Creates: Outlook only, where the admin allows it: client updates and letters as drafts, only after a yes. Never sends. Gmail stays read-only. Asks you before it creates or changes anything. Without it: You paste the intake email; updates and letters come as copy-ready text for the lawyer to send.
- Spreadsheets (for example Excel or Google Sheets): Search the firm's client and matter list for every party's name in the conflict check. Reads: The client and matter list you name, searched for each party's name Doesn't create or change anything. Without it: You paste the matching rows, or runs the search in their own system and pastes the result.
- Cloud files (for example SharePoint, Google Drive or Docusign): Open the documents named for the chronology, and prepare the engagement letter or costs agreement as a draft Docusign envelope. Reads: The documents you name for the chronology Creates: Docusign only: one draft envelope with the engagement letter or costs agreement and its signers, only after a yes. Never sent: the lawyer sends it. Asks you before it creates or changes anything. Without it: You upload the documents; the letter or agreement comes copy-ready, or as a .docx if the app can make files.
- Calendar (for example Outlook Calendar or Google Calendar): Add court dates, the limitation date the lawyer confirms, file reviews and estimate check-ins. Creates: Court dates, the limitation date the lawyer confirms, file reviews and estimate check-ins, titled by matter number, only after a yes. Never invites anyone. Asks you before it creates or changes anything. Without it: Each date comes as Title, Date and Time lines to add by hand.
- Where your information goes
-
- Client and other parties' names, the matter, the fee basis, the estimate and key dates: Stays in the chat, and in the firm's own drafts, envelope and calendar after a yes; it reaches the client only when the lawyer sends it. Matter numbers in event titles and file names; only the parties' names are searched in the matter list; no ID, bank or trust account details.
- The hand-off card: client name and contact as given, matter type, responsible lawyer, fee basis and estimate, other parties and key dates: The firm's practice software, on one matter's page, through your own browser agent after they sign in Only the card's fields, on that one matter; the agent types no bank, trust or ID details and stops before Save.
- Key dates for the matter: Your own calendar, after a yes Titles by matter number and step, with no client names.
- Websites for you
- Some steps use a browser helper on websites it names. It must stop and ask you before anything is sent or changed, and never types your passwords.
- Your accounts
- Takes actions in your accounts. It must ask you before each change.
- Risk area
- Legal
What it does, in full
Written in English. Answers in your language
Give it a new matter's details or the intake email. It checks every party against your client and matter list, then drafts the costs disclosure and engagement letter or costs agreement that the rules where you practise need for this matter's size and type, and it refuses terms those rules don't allow.
It keeps a chronology and the key dates, writes client updates, and drafts a revised estimate when costs move, in the form your rules ask for. At the end it writes the closing letter and the final account, and sets the file's destruction date. Your browser helper can open or update the matter in your practice software after you sign in, stopping before Save.
It gives general information about practice rules, not legal advice: your responsible lawyer decides, signs and sends. If Outlook, Gmail, Excel, Google Sheets, SharePoint, Google Drive, Docusign or your calendar is connected, it can read the intake email and your matter list, prepare a draft Docusign envelope and add key dates. It asks first.
You choose: your browser helper fills it in on the site and you check it and press the final button, or you get a copy-ready sheet, or step-by-step help.
Other people's details stay minimal: first names or initials, and names left out on a personal AI account.
What you get
Ask. Works in the AI apps it's made for. Paste or upload what you have, and it does the job right there in the chat.
Works with your apps. If you've connected your email, your spreadsheets, your cloud files or your calendar to your AI app, it can use them to do more of the job for you. You choose: it works without them too, from what you paste or upload.
Does it for you. You choose: if you use a browser helper such as Claude in Chrome, ChatGPT Work or Comet, it can do the clicking for you on the firm's practice software (such as Clio, LEAP, Actionstep or Smokeball), on this matter's new matter or details page, one page at a time, or you get a copy-ready version to paste in yourself. With the browser helper, you check every answer and press Save yourself. It never types your passwords or card numbers.
Remembers you. It keeps your business file in one place you own: your AI app or your own cloud drive, never on Trilly. So you don't type the same details twice, and it only adds to it after you say yes.
Works over days. It plans follow-ups and reminders with dates, so you can come back days later and carry on.
How each part works
Works with your apps.
- Email (for example Outlook; Gmail only reads): find the intake email by the client's name, and save client updates and letters as Outlook drafts. It asks you before it creates or changes anything.
- Spreadsheets (for example Excel or Google Sheets): search the firm's client and matter list for every party's name in the conflict check. It only reads.
- Cloud files (for example SharePoint, Google Drive or Docusign): open the documents named for the chronology, and prepare the engagement letter or costs agreement as a draft Docusign envelope. It asks you before it creates or changes anything.
- Calendar (for example Outlook Calendar or Google Calendar): add court dates, the limitation date the lawyer confirms, file reviews and estimate check-ins. It asks you before it creates or changes anything.
Does it for you.
The apps it can use
- Email Outlook Reads, and asks before it changes anything Also works with Gmail
- Spreadsheets Excel Only reads Also works with Google Sheets
- Cloud files SharePoint Reads, and asks before it changes anything Also works with Google Drive or Docusign
- Calendar Outlook Calendar Asks before it adds or changes anything Also works with Google Calendar
Choose your apps Your version: Outlook · Excel · SharePoint · Outlook Calendar · in Claude
Try asking
Once it's added, ask your AI something like this. Not sure it loaded? Is my skill working?
-
Open a new matter: run the conflict check and draft the costs disclosure for a contract dispute.
To check it's working, the answer should start with "MATTER FILE".
-
matter opening checklist
-
cost disclosure letter
Get Matter File
A$79 a month
Subscribe: A$79 a monthNew in version 1.0.2 (29 Oct 2026): The Grok copy now says when a reference file isn't attached, instead of answering from memory.
Added through your linked AI? You already have it. Downloaded a copy? Download the new version.
Price details
- Price in Australian dollars (A$). Trilly isn't registered for GST, so no GST is added.
- About a month in your currency, from the 's rate on , rounded. An estimate only. Prices are charged in A$, and your bank sets the final amount. Change
- How buying works
- Sold worldwide.
- Charged every month until you cancel. Updates arrive by themselves.
- Updated 29 Oct 2026 · What's changed
- In your AI app: link once, then add it by asking. How
Jobs it does: Open new legal matters with AI