Database for Legal Profession

J

JoanOC

I have been using a database created mostly from your sample contract
management database.
I do have one major problem with the parent database (cases) because it
can't have a primary key so I am limited when trying to create some queries.
Reason I can't have primary key is that the case# assigned to each record
sometimes needs the same case# for serveral records. This happens when there
are more than one record (party) under the same case#.
Any input would be appreciated.
Joan
 
T

Tom Wickerath

See http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html ---> "The Case for the Surrogate Key".

Also, if you want a legal database that is guaranteed to be a whole lot more functional than
anything similar to the sample contract management database, and your firm is willing to make an
investment in it, I suggest that you contact Scott Barker at www.appsplus.com. Scott has a
database for a law firm that is one of his clients. He has been refining this database over many
years. I believe he'd only be too happy to create a customized version for your law firm.

Tom
_______________________________________


I have been using a database created mostly from your sample contract
management database.
I do have one major problem with the parent database (cases) because it
can't have a primary key so I am limited when trying to create some queries.
Reason I can't have primary key is that the case# assigned to each record
sometimes needs the same case# for serveral records. This happens when there
are more than one record (party) under the same case#.
Any input would be appreciated.
Joan
 
M

Mike Painter

JoanOC said:
I have been using a database created mostly from your sample contract
management database.
I do have one major problem with the parent database (cases) because
it can't have a primary key so I am limited when trying to create
some queries. Reason I can't have primary key is that the case#
assigned to each record sometimes needs the same case# for serveral
records. This happens when there are more than one record (party)
under the same case#.
Any input would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

A case number is a unique identifier. The case table would contain a key, a
description, start date, and end date.
You may have one or more parties involved in that case but that information
would be kept in a separate table. You would have additional tables for
witnesses, depositions, attorneys involved, plaintiffs, etc.



If I sue myself do I need two attorneys?
 
J

JoanOC

Appreciate your input.
I do have separate tables for plaintiff attorneys, defense counsel,
insurance co. adjusters and hearing officers plus invoice and status.
I do also have a case table that contains all information that is
unique:hearing date, claimant name etc.
Do you mean that for any "additional parties" they would be in another
table? And if it were a three party case, yet another table. And all with
the same case#?
Please reply. Thanks. Joan
 
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