---
title: "Free Notion starter template for lawyers: build matters and deadlines"
url: https://notionforlawyers.com/freebies/starter-template
updated: 2026-10-17
author: Raghav Handa
---

# Free Notion starter template for lawyers: build matters and deadlines

You can build a free starter system in Notion with two linked databases, Matters and Deadlines, plus a home page with two filtered views. This page gives the full property tables and view settings. It is a build guide, not a download; the ready-made version is LawyerOS Starter.

## Key takeaways

- Two databases cover the core: Matters (what you are working on) and Deadlines (what is due).
- A relation connects each deadline to its matter, and a rollup can show the next date on the matter.
- A home page with 'Deadlines this week' and 'Active matters' views is the daily dashboard.
- It is a diary aid, not a court-rules calendaring system. Check rules and your own diary.

## What you will build

General information only. Setting this up takes about an hour in a standard Notion workspace. Nothing on this page is a download; all details are given here so you can create it yourself.

- A Matters database
- A Deadlines database related to Matters
- A home page showing Deadlines this week and Active matters


## Matters database properties

| Property | Type | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | Title | Short matter name or reference |
| Matter type | Select | Your own list, e.g. Litigation, Advisory, Transactional |
| Stage | Select | Intake, Active, Awaiting, Closing, Closed |
| Status | Status | Not started, In progress, Done |
| Key date | Date | The next date that matters |
| Deadlines | Relation | To the Deadlines database |
| Next deadline | Rollup | Earliest date from Deadlines |
| Notes | Text or page body | Keep confidential material minimal |


## Deadlines database properties

| Property | Type | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | Title | What is due |
| Date | Date | The date you have confirmed from the rules or order |
| Type | Select | Court date, Filing window, Limitation date, Internal |
| Matter | Relation | To Matters |
| Court / authority | Text or select | Where it applies |
| Done | Checkbox | Tick when complete |


## Views and home page

1. Create a home page. Add a linked view of Deadlines titled Deadlines this week, filtered to Date within the next week and Done unchecked, sorted by Date ascending.
2. Add a linked view of Matters titled Active matters, filtered to Stage is not Closed, sorted by Key date ascending.
3. Add a Calendar view on Deadlines for the month ahead.
4. Add a simple Overdue view: Date before today and Done unchecked.

The ready-made equivalent is LawyerOS Starter, which includes these two databases and the home page already set up. Pro adds Actions, Time, Team, Evidence, Research, Clients and Invoices databases.

- LawyerOS: https://notionforlawyers.com/library/lawyer-os
- Views and filters for deadlines: https://notionforlawyers.com/resources/guides/views-and-filters-for-deadlines
- Legal case management in Notion: https://notionforlawyers.com/guides/legal-case-management-in-notion


## FAQ

### Is this a downloadable template?

No. It is a build guide with the structure described in full. The ready-made version is LawyerOS.

### Will it calculate court deadlines?

No. You enter dates you have confirmed from the rules or orders. Always check the rules and your own diary.

### How long does it take to build?

Roughly an hour for someone comfortable with Notion databases.

### What does LawyerOS add?

A finished home page and views, and in Pro, many more linked databases and a Quick Start Guide.