UTBMS activity codes describe the action a legal professional or legal service provider performed. Common examples include planning, researching, drafting, reviewing, communicating, and attending a hearing.
Activity codes are often paired with task codes in legal time entries. The task code identifies the matter phase or workstream, while the activity code identifies the type of work completed. Firms should follow the code set, outside counsel guidelines, and eBilling requirements specified by each client.
What Are UTBMS Activity Codes?
UTBMS stands for Uniform Task-Based Management System. Its activity codes use the letter A followed by three numbers, such as A102 for research or A103 for drafting and revision.
An activity code answers a practical question:
What did the timekeeper do?
For example, a lawyer may perform research for a dispositive motion. The task code can identify the motion-related workstream, while A102 identifies research as the activity performed.
Activity codes can support:
More consistent legal billing data
Clearer LEDES and eBilling submissions
Faster invoice review
Better analysis of how legal work is performed
More reliable comparisons across matters and timekeepers
Not every client requires activity codes. Some clients require both task and activity codes, while others require task codes only. The applicable billing guidelines should control the final coding decision.
UTBMS Activity Codes vs Task Codes
Activity codes and task codes describe different parts of a legal time entry.
Code type | What it identifies | Example |
Task code | The matter phase, legal task, or workstream | L320 Document Production |
Activity code | The action performed by the timekeeper | A104 Review/Analyze |
Expense code | A cost or disbursement associated with the matter | E112 Court Fees |
A task code answers, “Which part of the matter was this work for?” An activity code answers, “What action was performed?”
Example: L320 Document Production plus A104 Review/Analyze can describe reviewing documents for responsiveness and privilege before production.
Original ABA Activity Code Set
The original ABA Activity Code Set released in 1997 contains 11 activity codes. These codes remain familiar across legal billing workflows, although clients and eBilling platforms may use revised labels or an expanded code set.
Code | Activity | Typical use |
A101 | Plan and prepare for | Preparing strategy, work plans, outlines, budgets, or upcoming legal work |
A102 | Research | Conducting legal or factual research |
A103 | Draft/Revise | Drafting or revising documents and other materials |
A104 | Review/Analyze | Reviewing or analyzing documents, evidence, records, or other materials |
A105 | Communicate within legal team | Internal communication among people representing the client |
A106 | Communicate with client | Calls, meetings, emails, and other communication with the client |
A107 | Communicate with opponents or other outside counsel | Communication with opposing counsel or outside lawyers not representing the client |
A108 | Communicate with other external parties | Communication with external parties not covered by another communication code |
A109 | Appear for/Attend | Attendance at a scheduled matter-related event |
A110 | Manage Data/Files/Documentation | File, data, or documentation management within the limits of the applicable code set |
A111 | Other | An activity that does not fit a more specific available code |
Use the most specific activity code that accurately reflects the work. A111 should generally be reserved for work that cannot reasonably be classified under another approved code.
Revised UTBMS Activity Codes
In 2013, the LEDES Oversight Committee ratified a revised activity code set. The revision retained the core legal activity codes and added more detailed codes for communications, travel, medical record work, specialized document handling, and discovery or eDiscovery services.
The revised set contains 28 activity codes. A client may still use the original set, the revised set, a customized version, or only selected codes. Confirm the accepted version before submitting invoices.
Core Legal Work Codes
Code | Activity | Practical interpretation |
A101 | Plan and prepare for | Planning or preparation associated with the matter, including permitted budgeting or case assessment work |
A102 | Research | Legal or factual research |
A103 | Draft/Revise | Drafting or revising documents or other materials |
A104 | Review/Analyze | Reviewing or analyzing documents or other materials |
These codes cover many common substantive activities. The description should still identify the document, issue, event, or purpose involved.
Communication and Attendance Codes
Code | Activity | Practical interpretation |
A105 | Communicate within legal team | Communication within the firm or with others on the legal team representing the client |
A106 | Communicate with client | Communication with the client by email, telephone, meeting, conference, or other method |
A107 | Communicate with opponents or other outside counsel | Communication with opposing counsel or lawyers who do not represent the client |
A113 | Communicate with witnesses | Communication with witnesses connected to the legal matter |
A114 | Communicate with experts | Communication with experts connected to the legal matter |
A108 | Communicate with other external parties | Communication with external parties not covered by another communication code |
A109 | Appear For/Attend | Appearing for or attending a scheduled matter-related event |
The revised codes separate witness and expert communications from broader external communications. This can make invoice data more specific when the client accepts the revised set.
Administration, Travel, and Specialized Service Codes
Code | Activity | Practical interpretation |
A110 | Manage Data/Files/Documentation | Matter closing and post-closing file or documentation work, especially in transactional matters |
A112 | Billable Travel Time | Travel or specified waiting time billed when other billable services are not being performed |
A115 | Medical Record and Medical Bill Management | In-house review, compilation, summarization, or processing of medical records or bills |
A116 | Training | Hourly training services provided by the law firm or legal vendor, often for technical or eDiscovery projects |
A117 | Special Handling Copying/Scanning/Imaging (Internal) | Manual handling for oversized or specialized copying, binding, scanning, imaging, or photograph reproduction |
A110 has a narrower definition in the revised code set than its label may suggest. It is intended for closing and post-closing activities and excludes discovery, eDiscovery, and certain pre-closing clerical tasks.
Discovery and eDiscovery Activity Codes
Code | Activity | Practical interpretation |
A118 | Collection-Forensic | Forensic acquisition and analysis of active files, deleted files, and file fragments |
A119 | Culling & Filtering | Grouping, deduplicating, and filtering documents before processing or review |
A120 | Processing | Processing document collections, including ingestion, conversion, extraction, OCR, or export when billed as a service |
A121 | Review and Analysis | Discovery or eDiscovery review and analysis, including coding and relevance work |
A122 | Quality Assurance and Control | Quality assurance and control activities associated with eDiscovery |
A123 | Search Creation and Execution | Creating and running electronic document searches, excluding legal research |
A124 | Privilege Review Culling and Log Creation | Review and culling associated with preparing a privilege log |
A125 | Document Production Creation and Preparation | Preparing and delivering a document production set, including production exports and metadata work |
A126 | Evidence/Exhibit Creation and Preparation | Creating or delivering trial evidence, exhibits, video clips, or demonstrative materials from a collection |
A127 | Project Management | Discovery or eDiscovery project management, budgeting, assessment, and quality control |
A128 | Collection Closing Activities | Closing work associated with a discovery or eDiscovery collection |
A111 | Other | Activity that does not fit another approved code |
A121 is specific to discovery and eDiscovery work. It should not automatically replace A104 for ordinary legal review and analysis. A127 is also limited to discovery or eDiscovery project management and does not describe general legal project management for the matter.
UTBMS Activity Code Examples
A useful entry combines the correct task code, activity code, duration, and a specific narrative.
Task code | Activity code | Example description |
L120 Analysis/Strategy | A101 Plan and prepare for | Prepared case strategy outline addressing key liability issues and upcoming discovery priorities. |
L240 Dispositive Motions | A102 Research | Researched controlling authority regarding enforceability of the limitation of liability clause. |
L240 Dispositive Motions | A103 Draft/Revise | Revised summary judgment brief section addressing causation and damages. |
L320 Document Production | A104 Review/Analyze | Reviewed client records for responsiveness, confidentiality, and privilege issues. |
L160 Settlement/Non-Binding ADR | A106 Communicate with client | Discussed mediation position, settlement range, and next steps with client. |
L330 Depositions | A113 Communicate with witnesses | Prepared fact witness for deposition and reviewed anticipated examination topics. |
L340 Expert Discovery | A114 Communicate with experts | Conferred with damages expert regarding assumptions and supporting financial records. |
L450 Trial and Hearing Attendance | A109 Appear For/Attend | Attended evidentiary hearing and presented argument regarding admissibility of exhibits. |
L320 Document Production | A123 Search Creation and Execution | Created and tested search terms for collection of responsive email records. |
L320 Document Production | A125 Document Production Creation and Preparation | Prepared production export and verified metadata fields before delivery. |
The narrative and codes should tell the same story. A detailed description paired with an unrelated activity code can still trigger invoice questions or rejection.
How to Choose the Correct Activity Code
Use a simple sequence when selecting an activity code:
Confirm whether the client requires activity codes.
Confirm which version or customized code set the client accepts.
Identify the primary action performed.
Select the most specific approved activity code.
Check that the task code, activity code, and description are consistent.
Review special rules for travel, communication, staffing, and eDiscovery.
A time entry can involve more than one action, such as researching an issue and drafting a memorandum. Client rules may require separate entries rather than one combined entry. Splitting the work can improve transparency and reduce block billing concerns.
Common UTBMS Activity Code Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
Treating the task code and activity code as interchangeable
Selecting A111 Other when a specific code applies
Using A104 Review/Analyze for specialized eDiscovery review that should use A121
Using A108 for witness or expert communication when the revised set requires A113 or A114
Applying A110 to general file administration even when the revised definition does not allow it
Coding all communication the same way without identifying the audience
Combining research, drafting, review, and communication in one block entry
Ignoring client-specific code mappings or outside counsel guidelines
Assuming every eBilling platform accepts the same activity codes
A code can be valid within UTBMS and still be unacceptable for a particular client. The client’s approved code set and billing guidelines should take priority.
How Law Firms Can Improve Activity Code Accuracy
Law firms can improve consistency by making coding part of the time entry workflow rather than a separate billing clean-up task.
Record time close to when the work occurs
Make client billing rules easy for timekeepers to access
Provide examples for frequently used task and activity combinations
Configure matter-specific code sets where possible
Review rejected or frequently changed codes for patterns
Separate distinct activities when client rules prohibit block billing
Use software suggestions to reduce manual code lookup
Keep final approval with the timekeeper or a knowledgeable billing reviewer
The goal is consistent, defensible coding that reflects the work performed and the client’s requirements.
Use UTBMS Activity Codes More Consistently with MIRA
MIRA helps law firms capture work activity and prepare time entries before billing. Timekeepers can review captured activity inside Microsoft Teams, edit descriptions, merge related items, and save or release approved entries toward connected finance systems.
MIRA can suggest task and activity codes where relevant, helping reduce manual lookup during time entry review. The timekeeper should confirm every suggested code against the matter context, client billing guidelines, and accepted eBilling code set.
For a connected workflow, explore Legal Time Entry Software for Lawyers.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UTBMS activity code?
A UTBMS activity code identifies the action performed by a legal professional or legal service provider. Examples include planning, researching, drafting, reviewing, communicating, and attending.
How many UTBMS activity codes are there?
The original 1997 ABA Activity Code Set contains 11 codes. The 2013 LEDES Oversight Committee revised set contains 28 codes, including additional communication, travel, medical record, and eDiscovery activities.
What is the difference between A102 and A103?
A102 is used for legal or factual research. A103 is used for drafting or revising documents and other materials.
What is the difference between A104 and A121?
A104 covers general review and analysis of documents or other materials. A121 is intended for discovery or eDiscovery review and analysis, including coding and relevance work.
What is the difference between A105 and A106?
A105 covers communication within the legal team representing the client. A106 covers communication directly with the client.
Are activity codes required on every legal invoice?
No. Requirements vary by client, outside counsel guidelines, and eBilling platform. Some clients require both task and activity codes, while others do not require activity codes.
Can AI assign UTBMS activity codes automatically?
AI can suggest an activity code based on captured work and the draft billing description. A timekeeper or billing reviewer should confirm the code before the entry is submitted.
