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Creating Rulesets

Rulesets can be created in two different ways, depending on the ruleset type.

Not all creation options are available for every layer in the ruleset hierarchy.

Ways to Create a Ruleset​

There are two supported methods:

1. Create Rules from a Document​

Rules can be automatically extracted from a document that describes billing guidelines, such as:

  • Outside counsel guideline (OCG) documents
  • Client billing instruction documents
  • Other written billing rule specifications

The system analyzes the document and generates rules based on its contents, which you can review and adjust before activation.

2. Manually Configure Rules​

Rules can also be created by manually selecting from the available rule types and configuring their settings.

This option provides full control and is ideal when:

  • Guidelines are informal or not documented
  • Only a small number of rules are needed
  • You want precise control over rule behavior

Requiring approval​

Some rule types have a Requires prior approval checkbox. Instead of (or alongside) a flag, entries matching the rule will need approval before you can be confident they can be billed - for example, travel that is only billable with the client's prior consent. This can be set when manually configuring a rule, or adjusted when reviewing rules extracted from a document.

Requires prior approval checkbox and Priority selector on a rule

Not every rule type has this option - it is only available where approval is a meaningful alternative to a flag. See Approvals.

Setting priority​

Each rule has a Priority of High, Medium, or Low. When you add a rule it is set to the default priority for that rule, and you can change it for this ruleset. See Rule Priority.

Ruleset Creation by Layer​

The available creation options depend on the ruleset layer.

Global Ruleset​

  • Creation method: Manual only
  • Versioning: Not supported
  • Effective date: Changes take effect immediately

The Global Ruleset is intentionally simple and is designed for stable, firm-wide defaults.

Custom Ruleset​

  • Creation method: Manual only
  • Versioning: Not supported
  • Effective date: Changes take effect immediately

Custom Rulesets are reusable templates and are updated in place for simplicity.

Client Group Ruleset​

Creation methods:

  • Extract rules from a document

  • Manual configuration

  • Versioning: Supported

  • Effective dates: Supported

Client Group Rulesets can be versioned so that guideline changes can be prepared in advance and applied automatically on a specific date.

Client Ruleset​

Creation methods:

  • Extract rules from a document

  • Manual configuration

  • Versioning: Supported

  • Effective dates: Supported

Client Rulesets offer the highest level of control and are ideal for managing evolving client guidelines over time.

Ruleset Versioning and Effective Dates​

For Client and Client Group rulesets, you can create multiple versions of the same ruleset.

Each version:

  • Has a version name or number
  • Has an effective date
  • Can be prepared in advance without impacting current billing reviews

On the effective date, the new version automatically becomes the active ruleset.

This allows you to:

  • Align rule changes with new OCG releases
  • Avoid manual cutovers
  • Maintain a clear audit trail of guideline changes

Summary​

  • Rulesets can be created manually or from guideline documents
  • Global and Custom rulesets are always manually configured
  • Client and Client Group rulesets support document-based creation and manual configuration
  • Only Client and Client Group rulesets support versioning and effective dates
  • Global and Custom ruleset changes apply immediately

Next Steps​