UTBMS task codes help law firms and clients categorize legal work by matter phase and task. They support more consistent budgeting, eBilling, invoice review, and reporting by giving each type of work a standard code.
The correct code set depends on the matter, jurisdiction, client billing guidelines, and eBilling platform. Firms should confirm which codes a client requires before recording or submitting time.
What Are UTBMS Task Codes?
UTBMS stands for Uniform Task-Based Management System. A task code identifies the legal workstream or stage of a matter, such as document production, depositions, trial preparation, or appeal.
Task codes are commonly used with activity codes. The task code explains what part of the matter the work relates to, while the activity code explains what the timekeeper did.
Example: L320 identifies document production. A104 identifies review and analysis. Together, they can support a time entry for reviewing documents for production.
UTBMS includes multiple code sets for different types of legal work, including litigation, bankruptcy, counseling, projects, workers’ compensation, mergers and acquisitions, criminal law, real estate, and intellectual property matters.
How UTBMS Litigation Task Codes Are Structured
The original ABA Litigation Code Set organizes contested matters into five major phases and 29 more detailed task codes.
Phase code | Litigation phase | Typical work covered |
L100 | Case Assessment, Development and Administration | Investigation, strategy, experts, budgeting, and settlement |
L200 | Pre-Trial Pleadings and Motions | Pleadings, provisional remedies, conferences, and motions |
L300 | Discovery | Written discovery, document production, depositions, and discovery motions |
L400 | Trial Preparation and Trial | Witness preparation, trial submissions, hearings, and enforcement |
L500 | Appeal | Appellate motions, briefs, and oral argument |
Phase codes summarize a broad stage of a matter. More detailed task codes identify the specific work performed within that stage.
ABA Litigation Task Code List
L100 Case Assessment, Development and Administration
Code | Task |
L110 | Fact Investigation/Development |
L120 | Analysis/Strategy |
L130 | Experts/Consultants |
L140 | Document/File Management |
L150 | Budgeting |
L160 | Settlement/Non-Binding ADR |
L190 | Other Case Assessment, Development and Administration |
L100 work affects the case as a whole. For example, L110 can be used for investigating facts and interviewing potential witnesses, while L120 covers early case analysis and strategy.
L200 Pre-Trial Pleadings and Motions
Code | Task |
L210 | Pleadings |
L220 | Preliminary Injunctions/Provisional Remedies |
L230 | Court Mandated Conferences |
L240 | Dispositive Motions |
L250 | Other Written Motions and Submissions |
L260 | Class Action Certification and Notice |
L200 codes cover pleadings and pre-trial motions outside the discovery process. A summary judgment motion, for example, would commonly fall under L240 rather than a general strategy or research code.
L300 Discovery
Code | Task |
L310 | Written Discovery |
L320 | Document Production |
L330 | Depositions |
L340 | Expert Discovery |
L350 | Discovery Motions |
L390 | Other Discovery |
L300 codes classify work performed during discovery. Selecting the most specific available code helps clients understand whether time was spent on interrogatories, document production, depositions, expert discovery, or a discovery dispute.
L400 Trial Preparation and Trial
Code | Task |
L410 | Fact Witnesses |
L420 | Expert Witnesses |
L430 | Written Motions and Submissions |
L440 | Other Trial Preparation and Support |
L450 | Trial and Hearing Attendance |
L460 | Post-Trial Motions and Submissions |
L470 | Enforcement |
L400 generally begins when trial is sufficiently likely and the team starts concrete trial preparation. Court attendance is normally separated from behind-the-scenes preparation and support.
L500 Appeal
Code | Task |
L510 | Appellate Motions and Submissions |
L520 | Appellate Briefs |
L530 | Oral Argument |
L500 codes cover work before an appellate or other reviewing body, including motions, briefing, preparation, and oral argument.
UTBMS Task Code Examples
A useful time entry combines the correct matter, task code, activity code, duration, and a specific billing description.
Task code | Activity code | Example description |
L110 Fact Investigation/Development | A104 Review/analyze | Reviewed client records and prepared factual chronology regarding contract performance. |
L160 Settlement/Non-Binding ADR | A106 Communicate with client | Discussed settlement position and mediation strategy with client. |
L240 Dispositive Motions | A103 Draft/revise | Drafted argument section of motion for summary judgment regarding causation. |
L320 Document Production | A104 Review/analyze | Reviewed custodial documents for responsiveness, privilege, and production issues. |
L330 Depositions | A101 Plan and prepare for | Prepared examination outline and exhibits for deposition of fact witness. |
L450 Trial and Hearing Attendance | A109 Appear for/attend | Attended evidentiary hearing and presented argument on pending motion. |
L520 Appellate Briefs | A103 Draft/revise | Revised appellate brief section addressing the applicable standard of review. |
The task code and description should support each other. A detailed narrative coded to an unrelated task can still create invoice review questions.
UTBMS Task Codes vs Activity Codes
Task codes and activity codes serve different purposes.
Code type | What it describes | Example |
Task code | The phase or workstream of the legal matter | L320 Document Production |
Activity code | The action performed by the timekeeper | A104 Review/analyze |
Expense code | A cost or disbursement related to the matter | E112 Court fees |
A task code answers, “Which part of the matter was this work for?” An activity code answers, “What did the timekeeper do?”
Common UTBMS Task Code Mistakes
Common coding problems include:
Using a broad phase code when the client requires a detailed task code
Selecting an “other” code when a more specific code applies
Using a litigation code set for a transactional or counseling matter
Choosing a code that does not match the billing description
Applying codes after the fact without enough context about the work
Ignoring matter-specific outside counsel guidelines
Assuming every client or eBilling platform uses the same code set
A technically valid code can still be incorrect for a particular client. Client billing rules should take priority over a firm’s default coding approach.
How Law Firms Can Improve Task Code Accuracy
Law firms can improve coding consistency by creating a simple process around selection and review.
Confirm the required code set when opening the matter
Make client billing guidelines available to timekeepers
Provide examples for frequently used task and activity combinations
Encourage time entry close to the work performed
Review unusual or frequently rejected code combinations
Use software prompts or suggestions to reduce manual lookup
Keep final approval with a knowledgeable timekeeper or billing reviewer
Automation can assist with code selection, but the suggested code should still be reviewed against the matter context and the client’s billing requirements.
Use UTBMS Task Codes More Consistently with MIRA
MIRA helps law firms capture work activity and prepare time entries before billing. Inside Microsoft Teams, timekeepers can review captured activity, edit descriptions, merge related work, and save or release approved entries toward connected finance systems.
MIRA can also suggest task and activity codes where relevant. The timekeeper remains responsible for confirming that the selected code matches the work performed and the client’s billing guidelines.
For a connected workflow, explore Legal Time Entry Software for Lawyers.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are UTBMS task codes?
UTBMS task codes are standardized codes used to classify legal work by matter phase and task. They support legal budgeting, eBilling, invoice review, and reporting.
How many ABA litigation task codes are there?
The original ABA Litigation Code Set contains five major phases and 29 more detailed task codes.
What is the difference between L codes and A codes?
L codes identify litigation phases and tasks. A codes identify the activity performed, such as planning, researching, drafting, reviewing, communicating, or attending.
Should a phase code or detailed task code be used?
The answer depends on the client’s requirements and billing system. Many clients expect the more detailed task code rather than only the broad phase code. Firms should follow the applicable outside counsel guidelines.
Are UTBMS task codes only for litigation?
No. UTBMS includes code sets for litigation, counseling, bankruptcy, projects, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, workers’ compensation, criminal law, intellectual property, and other legal work.
Can AI select UTBMS task codes automatically?
AI can suggest a likely code based on captured activity and the billing description. A timekeeper or billing reviewer should confirm the code before the entry is submitted.
