New matter intake.
Conflicts checked first.

A legal client intake form gathers what you need to run a conflict check and decide whether to take on a matter, before confidential details are shared. Identity checks, conflicts and confidentiality rules vary by jurisdiction, so adapt the questions to your regulator’s requirements. For general service businesses, see the client intake form template.

Details

• Client / company: [Name]
• Completed by: [Name, role]
• Date: [Date]

Client details

• Full legal name (person or entity)? [Answer]
• Contact details and preferred contact method? [Answer]
• Who can give instructions on the client’s behalf? [Answer]

Parties (for conflict check)

• Names of all other parties involved? [Answer]
• Their lawyers, if known? [Answer]
• Related companies or people? [Answer]

The matter

• Type of matter? [Answer]
• A brief summary of what happened? [Answer]
• What outcome are you looking for? [Answer]

Key dates

• Any deadlines, hearings or limitation dates? [Answer]
• When did the issue arise? [Answer]

Next steps

• Which documents can you provide (once we confirm we can act)? [Answer]
• How did you hear about us? [Answer]

1. Collect parties’ names first and run the conflict check before going further.
2. Ask for a brief summary only; detailed facts come after you’ve agreed to act.
3. Record key dates and deadlines immediately.
4. Complete identity checks your rules require.
5. Confirm the engagement in an engagement letter.
6. Collect documents through a secure channel.

Microsoft Word

1. Download the Word (.docx) file and open it. If Word opens it in Protected View, select Enable Editing.
2. Use Find (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and search for “[” to jump between the placeholders you need to replace.
3. Save a clean copy as a Word template (File → Save As → Word Template) so every new document starts from it.

Google Docs

1. Upload the .docx file to Google Drive.
2. Right-click it and choose Open with → Google Docs, then File → Save as Google Docs to keep an editable copy.
3. Use File → Make a copy for each new client so your master stays clean.

PDF

Fill it in Word or Google Docs, then export it: File → Save As → PDF in Word, or File → Download → PDF document in Google Docs.

Sample answers from a fictional client.

Sample answers

• Matter type? Commercial lease renewal.
• Other parties? The landlord, Calderbrook Estates, and its agents.
• Key date? The current lease expires on 30 November.

• Run the conflict check before receiving confidential details.
• Flag limitation dates on intake.
• Use the engagement letter to confirm scope and fees.

Angelwood’s document requests collect files against each request with instructions, so you can see what has arrived and what still needs review, without email attachments.

Browse all forms & questionnaires templates or the full template library.