Time Tracking

This article covers the Time Tracking tabs within the Books section where you can view time logged by the active user, Staff Time, Case & Contact Rates, and more. Navigate to Time Tracking via Books > My Billable Time. For information on logging billable time, see the article entitled Logging Time. Additionally, if you’re looking to log ledger items, please review the Case Ledger for more details.

Consult your firm’s Case Progress settings and implemented Billing Rules for restrictions on logging time that are particular to your firm.

My Time

The My Time tab displays all information regarding time tracked for the current user (i.e. you). Data within the My Time tab is pulled in from case ledgers, the global time tracker, and anywhere else that you can track time within MerusCase.

In the top section of this tab, you can view 3 graphs about your logged time, visualized as Hours Invoiced, Hours Logged, and Dollars Billed. Hover over any data point in one of the graphs to view more detailed information.

Filtering Ledger Items

If you have several time entries to sift through, you can utilize the filter to Search by Case (Applicant), Description, Billed To, Hours, Amount, or Date.

Any table in MerusCase allows for filtering across any of the columns on your screen to provide the user a tailored list within the system. In other words, use the filter to quickly find a specific line item within the table.

Additionally, MerusCase supports the use of multiple filters at once. For instance, a user can search for all open (by the Case Status column) cases within Browse Cases and then apply a second filter to then search for Assigned to Me (by the Staff column) within those open cases.

To apply multiple filters, enter the first filter then click on the magnifying glass. On click, a drop-down window will appear. Click Add Filter and toggle what to filter by.

Select Always use this column if you wish to always use the same filter type. Many firms find it particularly useful to select this option when filtering for cases, forms, or templates.

Pro-Tip

MerusCase filtering has very powerful Search and Filter Tricks available to you, such as Custom Filter Shortcuts, powerful keywords, Preset Filters and even more!

To remove a filter, click on the added filter button (each applied filter appears as a button underneath the Search/Filter bar). For example, to remove the filter for open cases, click on the button Status: Open underneath the Search/Filter bar.

Editing an Existing Ledger Item

  1. Click on the line item you want to edit.

  2. Edit the fields as necessary and click Save.

Note

Ledger items that are attached to an invoice cannot be edited or deleted unless it is first detached from an invoice. For more information regarding how to log ledger items, please view our documentation on How to Log Ledger Items.

Deleting a Ledger Item

To delete, click on the Control Column (displayed as three little dots) next to the desired line item and select Delete.

Generally, anytime a user deletes an item, a popup message will appear asking for confirmation from the user.

Staff Time

The Staff Time tab displays all logged time for all users in your firm.

To view more details about an individual user’s logged time, click on the row containing the name of the user whose time you would like to view. Once you click on a specific user, you will be able to view their time in the same format as your time displays in the My Time tab.

Note

You cannot edit another user's ledger items unless you have sufficient user permissions.

Case Rates

The Case Rates section allows you to view and edit billing rates at a case level. You can use the filter at the top of the page to filter for a specific line item by Case, Billing Party (Bill To), Attorney Responsible, Attorney Handling, Senior Associate Handling, Paralegal Handling, Assistant Handling, Hearing Representative, Invoice Cycle, and Branch Office.

Editing Case Rates

  1. Click on the line item you want to edit.

  2. Edit the fields as necessary and click Save.

Note

The case rates displayed in this interface reflect the Staff and Billing section within the Case Details Tab. Any changes made here will be reflected in Case Details and vice versa.

Contact Rates

The Contact Rates section allows you view and edit billing rates on a Billing Contact level. You can use the filter at the top of the page to filter for a specific line item by Billing Contact, Attorney Responsible, Attorney Handling, Senior Associate Handling, Paralegal Handling, Assistant Handling, Hearing Representative, Invoice Cycle, and Invoice Delivery Method.

For more information about how to set or edit a contact rate, please view our documentation on Setting Contact Rates.

Billing Code (UTBMS) Setup

When you click on Billing Code (UTBMS) Setup within the books section, you will be taken to the Accounting Setup section of Systemwide Preferences, where you can view, edit, delete, and create new billing codes for your firm. For more information on UTBMS setup, please reference our full documentation on Billing (UTBMS) Codes.