Release v26.1.1

1) Documents and templates signature

What it does: Users will be able to create documents and templates utilizing merge fields. Furthermore, when sharing these documents with a contact, users can now request a formal signature.
How to use it: This new feature can be accessed from the main menu option Signature Documents or from within a matter at the Documents tab.

2) Secure communications portal

What it does: Users and portal clients can now exchange secure messages inside Maatdesk.
How to use it: Users can access this feature through the Communications tab of a matter, along with the previously available Email and Call Logs options.
Portal clients now have a Messages tab in the portal that enables access to this feature.

3) Trust reconciliation

What it does: Users will be able to reconcile the transactions made in a trust account with the transactions present in the bank statement for that account.
How to use it: When reviewing an account, users now have access to the Reconciliation tab where they can start the reconciliation process.

4) Conflict of interest wizard

What it does: Users can now check for potential conflicts of interest preemptively while considering adding a contact as a participant to a matter, even before the matter is created.
How to use it: Throughout the application, the Conflict of Interest Wizard can be accessed near the right corner of the top bar.

5) Settlement Ledger

What it does: For contingency fee matters, users can now track the full lifecycle of a settlement – from receiving funds into trust, through paying medical liens, case costs, client advances, and attorney fees, to the final net payout to the client. The system automatically calculates the contingency fee percentage and projected net to client.
How to use it: When viewing a contingency fee matter, a new Settlement Ledger tab is available. The workflow follows these steps:

• 1. Register Settlement Received: Record the gross settlement deposited into a trust account
• 2. Add Case Costs / Medical Liens / Client Advances: Track all deductions with payee, amount, payment method, and check/reference numbers
• 3. Transfer Attorney Fees: Automatically calculates the contingency fee from the gross amount and transfers from trust to operating
• 4. Pay Net to Client: Disburse the remaining balance

Each item tracks its status (Pending → Paid) and payment method. Users can preview and download a Settlement Statement as PDF. A Settlements Summary report is also available under Trust Reports.

Fine grained reports permissions

What it does: Users can now set individual permission grants for each report in the application, rather than granting a single permission for all reports. Additionally, access to reports containing financial data can now be restricted to allow users to see the data in the report while limiting the visibility of the currency amounts contained in it.
How to use it: While managing the permissions for a role, if the Report permission is granted, a subsection will be shown below where the user will be able to assign permissions to each report of the system independently.