This article supports the Smart Templates training video (below) and explains how Smart Templates allow you to automate matter setup using rules and conditions. Unlike standard templates, Smart Templates can adapt themselves – removing unneeded Workstreams or tasks based on the details of the matter being created.
What Are Smart Templates?
Smart Templates are advanced Solution Templates that contain built-in automation rules.
These rules run automatically the moment a matter is created from the template.
With a Smart Template, Lupl can:
Remove Workstreams that aren’t relevant
Remove tasks or sections based on matter attributes
Automatically customize the matter structure
Ensure teams only see the Workstreams they actually need
This delivers cleaner matters, less manual editing, and faster setup – especially in high-volume or variable workflows.
Why Use Smart Templates?
Smart Templates are ideal when your team has:
A single master template covering multiple deal types
Workflow variations depending on client, jurisdiction, matter type, or keywords
Large, branching checklists where only some work applies on any given matter
For example:
A financing template might include Workstreams for LBO, Refinancing, Acquisition, and General Finance.
Smart Template rules can automatically remove the LBO Workstream if the matter doesn’t include an LBO indicator.
The result: a perfectly tailored matter in seconds.
How Smart Templates Work
Smart Templates rely on two elements:
1. Triggers
A trigger defines when the automation runs.
For Smart Templates, triggers fire as soon as the matter is created.
Examples include:
“If the matter name contains
[Keyword]”“If the Client Name is
[John Doe]”“When a jurisdiction contains
USA (California)orUSA (New York)”
2. Actions
An action defines what Lupl should do when the trigger criteria are met.
In addition to all the actions available in standard automations, Smart Template actions include:
Remove Workstream
Remove Workstream Section
Remove Task
Update a field
Add labels or properties
You can create one or multiple actions in the same Smart Template.
Examples from the Training Video
The video demonstrates scenarios such as:
Keyword-based automation
If the matter name contains “Refinance,” Lupl can automatically:
Remove “Acquisition Finance” Workstreams
Remove tasks related to LBO or PE financing
Keep only the Workstreams or Tasks relevant to a refinance deal
Creating a Smart Template
To create a Smart Template:
In your Lupl matter to be templated, visit Matter Details and turn on Template Developer mode at the bottom of the screen.
You'll be given an option to create Automations that run upon Matter opening.
When creating or editing Automations, you'll notice a new Trigger option called "Matter created from this Template".
This trigger works with the
Matter Name,Client Name,Matter Type, andJurisdiction(s)properties.
In the Actions, you'll notice new option to "Remove Item" – this is how Automations can remove items or Workstreams from a master template to tailor the Template to specific use cases.
After defining the actions, remember to switch on the matter creation Automation(s) before saving as a Template.
In the Matter Details, save the matter as a Template as usual.
Aside from removing items, all actions from our standard Automations are available for running upon matter creation as Smart Templates, such as sending an automated email to specific partners when a matter with a specific is opened in the name of a given client.
Next time someone creates matters from this template, the Automation runs instantly – no clicks required. As the matter is created, users will see how many Smart Template automations were applied.
Best Practices
Use a single master template when your processes share 70–80% common structure.
Keep naming conventions consistent so keyword triggers work reliably.
Use labels or matter properties where possible – these are more predictable than free-text.
Test the Smart Template by opening a “dummy” matter before rolling it out firm-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Smart Template add Workstreams too?
No – Smart Templates cannot create new Workstreams automatically. They can only delete entire Workstreams. However, one can still create new items in existing Workstreams as an automation.
Do users see the automations running?
No. The matter appears already customized once it’s created.
Can I edit the Workstream after the automation runs?
Absolutely. Smart Templates reduce manual setup, but the matter remains fully editable.
Do Smart Templates support multiple rules?
Yes. You can create multiple triggers and multiple conditional branches.
Can we configure Smart Templates to automatically invite specific people to the matter?
We are actively developing this feature with an aim to release towards the end of 2025 – this will also include the ability to automatically assign tasks to specific users depending on how the Smart Template is configured.
I created automations to run on matter creation but they aren't working. Why?
Please check to make sure all matter creation Automations are switched ON prior to saving as a Template. If these automations are unticked, you will not see the desired Smart Template actions.
By default, all newly created Automations are switched off as a safeguard against unintended Automation runs, and must be switched on manually when ready for testing or use.