Online Precedent Documents

Operating Instructions

12 June 2009

© Initio Pty Limited 1997Topic 17

© Initio Pty Limited 1997Topic 17

Online Precedent Documents

Table of Contents

TopicPage

Computer Settings......

Hidden Text Option......

Switching ON the Hidden Text option:......

Displaying the Signing Clauses in the Footer of Affidavits......

Switching ON the Update Field Option:......

Accessing Document Templates......

Opening a Template......

Structure of Precedent Folders......

Saving your Document......

Entering Data in Templates......

Typing in Fields......

Check Boxes......

Typing Numbered Paragraphs......

Online Precedent Documents Operating InstructionsPage 1 of 10

Computer Settings

Hidden Text Option

Many of our Precedent templates (especially the court documents) have HIDDEN TEXT displaying helpful hints, instructions and options (as in the example below). If the hidden text feature is switched OFF, you will not see this text.


NOTE: Hidden text will display as blue and a dotted underline BUT WILL NOT PRINT.

Switching ON theHidden Text option:

  1. Open Microsoft Word
  2. Select Tools, Options to display the Options dialog box.

In the section labelled Formatting marks on the View tab. (If you have an earlier version of Word, your window may look a little different however, the formatting mark options are identical).

  1. Check the box Hidden text to switch this feature ON.
  2. Click OK.

Displaying the Signing Clauses in the Footer of Affidavits

All affidavit in this Precedents package, contain a Word formula which generates the signing clause in the footer of all pages except the first and last pages of an affidavit.

When the Update Field option is switched ON in Microsoft Word, you need to either print or Preview your completed affidavit and the signing clause will automatically generate

Switching ON the Update Field Option:

  1. Open Microsoft Word
  2. Select Tools, Options to display the Options dialog box.
  3. Click on the Print tab to display the Printing options.

  1. Click on the Update fields checkbox.
  2. Click OK.
  3. Close Microsoft Word to ensure these settings are saved.

To view the signing clause:

  1. Open an Affidavit in the Precedents package.
  2. Save the document
  3. Complete the affidavit as required (or to test, press CTRL ENTER to add some additional pages).
  1. Select the PREVIEW button on your Word toolbar, then close and reopen Preview.
  2. Scroll down through the pages and you will see the signing clause.


NOTE: If you delete any pages in the affidavit, repeat steps 4 and 5 to refresh.

Accessing Document Templates

Opening a Template

All precedent template files are marked as READ-ONLY files and it is impossible for you to accidentally SAVE over the original templates.

The file Precedent Template List contains a complete list of all documents. This is a Word document and may be opened and printed for your convenience. Templates marked in yellow are considered Core documents.

Structure of Precedent Folders

The precedent templates are stored in their respective folders depending on the area of law:

Each folder is further subdivided into categories within the area of law. For example:

Again, each category folder is further sub-divided into the types of documents. For example, the Child Support folder is broken into:

In most of the Court Docs folders you will find a folder called OPTIONS for Court Docs:

These files contain information which may be COPIED and PASTED into the related template. For example, in the file Form 14Subpoena there is a prompt (hidden text) which indicates for you to COPY and PASTE the appropriate text from Subpoena OPTIONS - relating to
documents & things to produce

When you open the required file, the options which may by used will be listed at the top of the document.

You would then highlight the required text and COPY, close the Options document and then PASTE your text in the required position.

Saving your Document

All of the Precedent templates are protected by being (Read Only) files. It is not possible for you to accidentally save your completed document over the original template.

After opening a template from the Legal Aid Website and before you begin entering your own date, it is advisable to SAVE the document as a FILE on your own computer.

  1. Select File SaveAs
  2. Navigate to where you normally save your files
  3. Type a new name for the file and click SAVE.

Entering Data in Templates

Typing in Fields

A Field box will display the position for you to type details in many of the templates. Some Field boxes will provide prompts. For example:

Client's Name

Appellant / Applicant / Respondent

Other Fields will be blank as in the example below:

To Type in a Prompt Field:

  1. Click once in the Field and start typing. There is no need to delete the field.

Problem: If you begin typing in a field and your text remains shaded.
(DO NOT CONTINUE typing as your work will not print)

Solution: Click away from the field and repeat step1.

Check Boxes

Many of the Court documents contain check boxes which may be crossed when required.

To Place a Cross into a Check Box:

  1. Double-click with the left mouse button on the check box. The following screen will appear.
  2. Under the heading Default value you will see two options.
  3. Click the small blank circle (radio button) to select the Checked option.
  4. Press OK.

The check box will now be crossed. You can follow the same procedure to remove a cross from a check box. Just select the Not checked option and press OK.

Typing Numbered Paragraphs

Several Styles have been built into the templates to assist you with typing paragraph numbers. Shortcut keystrokes have also been assigned to these styles to allow easy access these Styles.

In the Court documents you will see a prompt indicating to “Press Enter to continue the numbering sequence”. However, if you want numbered paragraphs in a different document (eg. a letter) the following instructions may assist you.

To Create STANDARD PARAGRAPH NUMBERING (Single line spacing):

For example:

1.This is a first level of standard paragraph numbering.

1.1This is a second level – a sub-paragraph of paragraph 1.

This is an un-numbered paragraph which belongs to 1.1 – the instructions are in step 5 (a) – (c).

1.1.1This is a third level – a sub-paragraph of the sub-paragraph 1.1

  1. Position the cursor where you want to begin the numbered paragraphs.
  2. Press and hold the ALT key and press 1 (number 1).

ALT 1 creates a first level of paragraph numbering. This series of numbering will be SINGLE line spacing. You only need to press ENTER once for the next level as the correct spacing between paragraphs has been assigned to this style.

  1. Press ALT 2if you want to create a sub-paragraph level of numbering. (Eg. 1.1 as a sub-paragraph of a paragraph level)
  2. Press ALT 3if you want to create a third level. (Eg. 1.1.1 as a sub-paragraph level of a sub-paragraph level)

Pressing ALT 1 will always take you back to the first level of numbering. If you need to add a new paragraph or sub-paragraph, go back to the end of the previous paragraph and press ENTER. All following numbering is automatically renumbered.

  1. If you require an un-numbered paragraph at any level:

(a)Press ENTER at the end of the last paragraph (it will be numbered)

(b)Press BACKSPACE once (to remove then number)

(c)Press the TAB key to align. (If you are at a sub-paragraphs level, you may need to press TAB more than once to align the text).

You may keep typing numbered paragraphs and they will align at this point. When you are ready to begin numbering again press ALT and whatever number level you require.

To Create COURT PARAGRAPH NUMBERING(One-and-a-half line spacing)

These shortcuts begin at ALT 5.

For example:

1.Pressing ALT 5 will give you the first level of court paragraph numbering and will wrap with 1½ line spacing.

(a)This is the second level – a sub-paragraph of paragraph 1.

(i)This is the third level – a sub-paragraph of the sub-level (a).

  1. Position the cursor where you want to begin the numbered paragraphs.
  2. Press and hold the ALT key and press 5 (number 5)

ALT 6 is a second level of numbering.

ALT 7 is the third level of numbering.

The rules for the standard numbering also applies to Court Paragraph numbering.

To Change back to NORMAL STYLE after using Paragraph numbering:

After typing in either numbering style, you may wish to return to full width un-numbered paragraphs of text. Pressing ALT N on a new line will remove the numbering, return the cursor to the left margin and use the Normal style for paragraphs.

Online Precedent Documents Operating InstructionsPage 1 of 10