Client portal: Your access to your law firm

If a law firm works with Smart Legal Pro, they can invite you as a client to their client portal. You use your regular account for this – there is no second login.

How to gain access

Your law firm will invite you via email. The link will lead you to the acceptance page; if you do not have an account yet, you can register in the same step. The invitation is only valid for the email address to which it was sent and only for a limited time – if you have any questions, please contact your law firm. You can also initiate access yourself: On a law firm's profile in the lawyer directory, you will find (when logged in) the button "Request client portal access" – the law firm will receive your request and then invite you.

The area switcher

After acceptance, a switcher appears at the top of the portal between the private area and your law firm. In the law firm area, you will see a deliberately streamlined view: the overview of your law firm with the content shared with you. Your private area with your own documents and tools remains unchanged alongside it. Additionally, you will see an entry card for each connected law firm on your dashboard — a click leads directly to the respective portal. You can be connected to multiple law firms simultaneously (regardless of whether you found the law firm here or were invited); each law firm only sees its own shared content.

What you see – and what you don't

You see only what your law firm explicitly shares with you: case files in which you are involved and individually shared documents. The same applies in reverse: your law firm does not see your private area – your own documents and conversations remain private. Your law firm also decides which portal areas (e.g., chat, uploads, AI tools, checks) are active for their clients – if an area is missing for you, your law firm has deliberately disabled it.

Free of charge for you

In the law firm area, you never purchase credits or tokens yourself – every AI usage here (assistant, summaries, review tools, "Explain", telephone assistance) runs exclusively on your law firm's quota and is completely free of charge for you. Access itself also costs you nothing. The assistant that greets you during your first visit and explains the area also uses the law firm's quota – for this reason, there are deliberately no purchase areas in the law firm section. If the assistant is ever not available, please contact your law firm directly.

Your client dashboard

In the law firm area, you can see at a glance how many case files and documents have been shared with you and whether a deadline is pending. You can view or download shared documents directly – PDFs and images open in the browser, everything else is downloaded. Each case file has its own view with the shared documents and the deadlines that your law firm has released for you. If there is something new since your last visit, a short note "Since your last visit" summarizes it for you – this is also at the law firm's expense. If your law firm has assigned a responsible law firm member to you, you will see them on the dashboard as "Your contact person" – with their name and email address.

Documents requested by the law firm

If your law firm needs specific documents from you, you will see a checklist with the requested items in the "Documents" tab at the top. You can upload the appropriate document directly for each item – it will land immediately in your case file. If you do not have a document, you can mark the item as "not available" or "later" so that your law firm is informed. As soon as your law firm requests something, you will be notified. If your law firm sets a deadline for the entire request, you will see at the top of the request how many days remain – or that the deadline has already passed. Some items are marked as a topic collection – in this case, it is not about a specific document, but about all documents on a topic; here you can upload multiple files one after another (e.g., all bank statements of the last three months individually) instead of just one – you can add each additional file via "+ Upload another file", and an already uploaded file can also be removed individually there. After uploading, an AI briefly checks whether the document matches the requested item. You will see an honest, friendly response ("matches", "please check" or "probably does not match") with a concrete hint on what to do; if a scan is difficult to read, it will ask for a new photo – good light, straight from above. This check runs on the law firm's quota, not at your expense. And if you upload a file via the upload field that matches an open item, the portal will suggest the assignment with one click. For "not available", you can briefly explain why; for "later", you can select a date – your law firm sees both. If you are unsure whether you have everything together, the button "Do I have everything?" helps: an AI briefly checks whether anything is still missing for this request and mentions next steps if necessary – this is a non-binding assessment, not legal advice, and also runs on the law firm's quota, not at your expense. Once all items have been answered, you can submit the request collectively to your law firm with one click (optionally with a message). This does not mean it is finished yet: your law firm will check the documents and complete the request – or ask you for additions; in both cases, you will be notified. The law firm will approve each document or ask – with a reason – for another; you will be notified about this. If something remains open for a longer time, the portal will remind you discreetly (never more often than every three days).

Uploading your own documents

You can also provide documents to the law firm yourself in a shared case file – such as an ID, a contract, or an invoice. Open the case file, stay in the "Documents" tab and drag your files into the field above or select them. PDF, images, and Word documents up to 25 MB are permitted; multiple files can be uploaded at once. As soon as the checkmark appears, your law firm has the document in the case file. You can recognize your own uploads by the "By you" label. An AI assistant briefly identifies for your law firm what type of document it is (e.g., "Lease") – this facilitates assignment and runs on the law firm's quota, not at your expense.

Notes in the document list

In the document list of a case file, a note may appear next to a file: "Being read" means that the document's text is still being read – this happens automatically, you do not need to do anything. "Not readable" means that the text recognition failed for this document; please inform your law firm in this case. Documents that the law firm deliberately does not evaluate automatically do not carry a note.

Reviewing and approving documents

Sometimes your law firm asks you to review a document – for example, a draft that you are to confirm. In the "For your approval" tab of a case file, you will see such requests with a brief note from the law firm. You can approve the document, request a change, or reject it – each with an optional comment. Your feedback goes directly to the law firm; both sides see the history. Nothing is decided automatically – you retain control.

"What's inside?" – the document explained in plain language

Before you decide, an AI assistant helps you to understand the document. Tap "Explain in plain language" on the review request – the AI summarizes it in simple language:

• In short: what the document is about;
• What you should pay attention to: obligations or commitments you are making, and points you should check or ask about;
• Deadlines & dates: dates mentioned in the document.

This is free of charge for you (it runs on your law firm's quota) and is saved so that viewing it again costs nothing extra. Important: The explanation is a comprehension aid in plain language, not legal advice – only the document itself is binding, and if you have any questions, please contact your law firm. If no text can be read from a document (e.g., in the case of a pure scan) or if the help is currently unavailable, you will receive a brief notification.

"What has changed?" – comparing versions with a risk traffic light

If your law firm has revised a document to be reviewed, there are several versions of it. Via "What has changed?", the AI compares the last change for you and shows a risk traffic light:

• Green – only minor changes;
• Yellow – please review carefully;
• Red – please check thoroughly (e.g., changed obligations, amounts, or deadlines).

Below that, you will see the individual changes, each with a colored dot. This also runs on your law firm's quota and is a comprehension aid, not legal advice – the current version of the document is binding. This area only appears if there is actually more than one version.

Commenting on and revising drafts

Your law firm can share a draft (such as a contract draft) directly "Shared by your firm for your input". You will find it in the "Documents" tab under "Shared by your firm for your input" and will be notified additionally. Depending on the approval level, you can only comment (highlight text, attach comment), propose changes (your entries appear as colored suggestions that the law firm accepts or rejects individually), or edit freely. Important: You are always working on a copy – nothing changes in the law firm's original until your law firm has checked and adopted your comments. Your work is saved automatically; when you are finished, click on "Send to firm" (optionally with a message). You can use the button as soon as you have viewed the draft to the end; on a smartphone, open the comments via "Comments (n)". You can add your own comments and replies; your law firm decides whether a comment is resolved, and you will be notified when they return a new version. The approval card shows how many comments are open and resolved. A bar above the draft indicates the round and the status (your comments have not yet been submitted · your law firm is reviewing · new version) and updates itself without you needing to reload; if the law firm returns a new version, "Load new version" appears. Via "Versions" you can see previous versions and what has changed. When opening it for the first time, a short note explains how commenting works. Afterwards, the draft is read-only for you until the law firm releases it again for another round, if necessary. You can find a step-by-step guide at Commenting on a draft from your law firm: Step by step.

Messages to your law firm

In every case file shared with you, you will find the "Messages" tab. There, you can write directly to your law firm – short queries, notes, or scheduling appointments. You can recognize new messages from your law firm by a counter directly on the respective case file and by "My law firm" in the sidebar. Your messages go directly to your law firm; upload new documents in the "Documents" tab.

You can see from your last message whether it has been sent or read by the law firm, and if the other party is currently typing. If you would like to refer to a specific document, you can attach a document already shared with you in the case file to your message via the paperclip icon – the law firm will then see exactly what you are referring to. Do not upload new files via the chat, but in the "Documents" tab (see above).

General exchange – even without a case file

On your law firm dashboard, you will additionally find the tile "Message your firm" – a messaging channel that is not tied to a specific case file. You can use this, for example, if you have not (yet) been assigned a case file or if you have a question outside of an ongoing proceeding. If your law firm starts a structured client conversation there – for example, with a short introduction and a few prepared questions regarding your matter – you will find it listed below the general exchange. You answer the questions freely in your own words and can also ask follow-up questions at any time; the AI only creates a summary for the law firm if they explicitly request it. This channel is also free of charge for you (law firm's quota).

Did not understand a message? "Explain"

Does a message from your law firm sound too legal? Tap "Explain" under the message – an AI assistant will summarize it in simple words. This is free of charge for you (it runs on your law firm's quota) and does not replace legal advice: The explanation helps with understanding; your law firm provides binding information. Once generated, explanations are saved so that viewing them again costs nothing extra. If the help is not available at any time, please contact your law firm.

Deadlines with your feedback

Some deadlines that your law firm releases for you require feedback from you – for example, a confirmation that you have received a letter. Such deadlines are marked in the "Deadlines" tab with "Response required" and show what your law firm is asking of you. You can reply briefly or simply acknowledge the deadline; your law firm will see your feedback with the date. If you do not understand a deadline, "What does this mean?" will help you with an AI explanation in plain language – free of charge for you (on the law firm's quota) and explicitly not legal advice.

Appointments with your law firm

If your law firm offers online appointments, you will see a card "Your appointments" in the law firm area: your upcoming appointments with status (requested/confirmed) and a button "Book appointment" that leads to the law firm's booking page. Every booking is initially a request — the law firm confirms it, and you receive emails including a calendar file. You can cancel upcoming appointments directly on the card.

Call the firm

If your law firm has activated the telephone assistant, the contact card will show "Call the firm": you speak with a digital, AI-supported assistant that records your matter (topic, urgency, callback request) and passes it on to the law firm as a note — it explicitly does not provide legal advice. Calls run on your law firm's quota and are free of charge for you.

Notifications

Important events from your law firm appear in the bell at the top right – the same one you know from your private area; therefore, you do not need to keep an eye on a second location. You will be notified when your law firm releases a document, asks you for a review, writes you a message, or releases a deadline for you. A click leads you directly to the right place in the case file.

Good to know

• Your to-dos: At the top of your law firm area, the "Your to-dos" card lists everything your law firm currently needs from you – across all case files, with the most urgent ones first; a click leads directly to the right place. In the case file list, "n open" shows where something is waiting for you.
• What has happened? Under the tabs of a case file, a short history summarizes what has happened – released documents, deadlines, requests, review requests, and drafts, with the newest ones first.
• "Explain in plain language" also in the document list: For documents that your law firm shares with you, you will also find "Explain in plain language" in the "Documents" tab – free of charge for you (law firm's quota) and not legal advice.
• What is waiting for you: Small counters on the tabs of a case file show open document requests ("Documents"), deadlines with requested responses ("Deadlines"), review requests ("For your approval"), and unread messages ("Messages"). You can see unread items in the general exchange directly on the "Message your firm" tile.
• Add to calendar: Via "Add to calendar", you can transfer an appointment (with time) or a deadline (as an all-day entry on the deadline day) as a calendar file into your own calendar. What your law firm communicates to you remains authoritative.
• Canceling appointments: You can voluntarily provide a reason when canceling. If an appointment can no longer be canceled, the portal will tell you this in plain text. Each appointment shows whether it takes place on-site, by phone, or via video, as well as the time with time zone.
• Long conversations: The chat shows the newest messages first; you can retrieve older ones at the top via "Load earlier messages". Links in messages can be tapped. On a smartphone, the enter key creates a line break – sending is done via the arrow. A message from your law firm is considered "read" only when you have the chat open in front of you and have scrolled down to it.
• Your contact person: If your law firm has stored office hours or a website in their profile, the contact card will display both.
• Call the firm: As long as the connection is being established, you can cancel. If you leave the page during a call, the portal will ask you beforehand. If the telephone assistant is currently unavailable, "Write a message instead" leads directly to the chat.
• Documents without a case file: In the general exchange, you cannot send files yet – this is possible as soon as your law firm has released a case file for you (in the "Documents" tab of the case file).
• Uploaded, but not assigned: If the assignment to a requested item does not work after uploading, the file is still in the case file. Via "Link again", you can complete the assignment – without uploading again.

Access terminated?

If the mandate ends or the law firm withdraws access, the law firm area simply disappears from your account again. Your private area is never affected by this.