The way in-house legal teams handle work is continuing to change at pace. Matter management software is now a core operational tool, helping teams track work, control spend, and deliver meaningful insight to the business.
In 2026, these platforms will not only organise daily activity but also strengthen strategic planning, improve decision-making, and raise expectations of what a modern legal function should deliver.
Evaluating Matter Management Software
Selecting the right platform requires more than a long list of features. Legal teams should prioritise configurability and flexibility so workflows can be adapted to the organisation’s structure and internal stakeholder groups. Different business units have different needs. A configurable platform ensures matter intake, approval flows, and reporting can be tailored to those user personas without introducing complexity.
Matter status configuration is also becoming increasingly important. Rather than rigid, preset stages, legal teams need the freedom to map statuses to how their team operates, whether that’s for procurement contracts, HR matters, disputes, or high-risk advisory work. This alignment allows legal and internal stakeholders to speak the same language, improves accuracy in reporting, and avoids work being forced into an ill-fitting framework.
Ease of use still matters. Adoption will stall if the interface is clunky or if task ownership is unclear. Look for a platform that brings together end to end workflows, document and email management, approval steps, and collaboration tools so lawyers aren’t juggling multiple disconnected systems. Integration is also key. A solution that sits in isolation will create friction, so ensure it can work alongside corporate systems and external counsel.
Centralising Workflows for Efficiency
Centralising information remains the strongest argument for modern matter management. When documents, agreements, previous advice, correspondence, deadlines, and notes live in one place, teams spend less time searching and more time delivering value.
Configurability supports this. Tailored workflows help maintain consistency without sacrificing flexibility, and an audit trail provides confidence in record keeping. Clear task ownership and visibility of progress help identify bottlenecks early and raise the overall standard of service delivery.
Built in document and email management capabilities reduce the need for manual filing or reliance on shared drives. Approvals can sit within the same workflow, cutting down on laborious email chains and keeping decisions documented and accessible.
Integrating Spend and Reporting
One of the most compelling benefits of matter management software is financial oversight. Legal departments often struggle to maintain visibility over engagements, budgets, invoices, and spend across multiple external firms. By integrating eBilling and spend management into a matter management platform, teams gain real-time view of how funds are allocated across matters, business units, and external law firms.
Reporting also needs to reflect the practical realities of running an in-house team. Configurable dashboards and automated reporting allow teams to quickly garner insights that match organisational needs. Whether it’s time to resolution, matter complexity, contract cycle times, or law firm performance, the reporting should be simple to customise and easy to share with senior leadership, demonstrating value.
Enhancing Collaboration Across Teams
In-house legal work is rarely done in isolation. Effective matter management software enables collaboration not only within the legal team but also with business units, finance, and external counsel. Features such as role-based access, task assignment, and notifications ensure that everyone has the information they need, when they need it.
Clear communication within the platform can further enhance teamwork. Notifications for deadlines, approvals, or status updates reduce the risk of missed tasks. Centralised platforms also support remote and hybrid working models, allowing teams to maintain productivity regardless of location.
Adopting a Strategic Approach
For legal leaders, mastering matter management software is about more than day-to-day efficiency. It is a tool for strategic advantage. By tracking matter types, volumes, and outcomes, teams can identify process improvements, negotiate better rates with outside counsel, and allocate internal resources more effectively.
It is recommended that the implementation be approached in phases. For example, start with core matter management, then gradually add spend management, reporting, and integrations. Involve stakeholders early to align the platform with business needs and encourage adoption. Training and ongoing support are crucial to ensure the software delivers long-term value.
Preparing for 2026 and Beyond
As technology advances, matter management software will increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and further automation advances. These capabilities will enable teams to forecast risks, suggest next steps, and reduce manual tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on higher-value work.
In preparation for 2026, in-house legal teams should prioritise scalable solutions that integrate with existing systems and provide robust reporting. Regularly reviewing workflows, adoption rates, and outcomes will ensure that matter management software remains a strategic asset rather than a transactional tool.
Mastering matter management software is no longer an option for in-house teams. By choosing the right platform, legal departments can transform their operations. The result is not only improved efficiency but also greater visibility, better decision-making, and a stronger alignment with organisational goals.