Trumping Order (Precedence Rules)

IN THIS ARTICLE:

This article explains how to use the Trumping Order feature in the PrivLog Builder to define precedence logic for combined privilege log descriptions. Trumping Order determines which field value is used when multiple fields could supply the same part of a description — for example, choosing a free-text override over a controlled field when the override is populated.

WHO CAN PERFORM:

Users with the Create and manage Privilege Logs permission can configure Trumping Order within combined columns.

Why Trumping Order Exists

Privilege logs rely on controlled, multi-choice fields to keep descriptions consistent across reviewers. Most of the time, those values work well. Occasionally, they don't — a reviewer needs to explain the privilege more accurately than the controlled options allow. This is why many privilege fields have a paired text override.

The logic is simple: if the text override is populated, use it. If it isn't, fall back to the controlled field. Trumping Order makes that logic explicit and reusable, while still allowing multiple fields to be stitched together into a clean, readable sentence.

How Trumping Order Works

Trumping Order is configured per combined column within PrivLog Builder. The key concepts:

Groups contain fields that serve the same purpose (e.g., a text override and its controlled counterpart). Within a group, fields are evaluated top-to-bottom — the first populated value wins.

Groups are evaluated left-to-right across the combined column. The winning value from each group is concatenated into the final description.

Fields outside groups are simply concatenated in order — no precedence logic applies.

Limits

  • Up to 10 groups per combined column
  • Up to 10 fields per group

Behavior after saving

After saving a Trumping Order, the concatenated values structure becomes read-only — you cannot rearrange the fields or groups without reopening the Precedence Rule modal. However, field formatting (case, multi-value separators) and global formatting (capitalization of first letter, trailing period) remain editable without reopening the modal.

Setting Up Trumping Order

  1. Go to Matter Analytics
  2. Click on the Privilege Logs tab
  3. Open a privilege log and click COLUMNS
    1. Create Combined Column (or edit an existing combined column).
  4. Enter a column name and configure document selection as usual.
  5. Click Precedence Rule.
  6. Click Add Group to create Group 1.
  7. In Group 1, add fields in precedence order (first field = highest priority). For example:
    • Privilege Reason Text (text override — checked first)
    • Privilege Reason (controlled field — fallback)
  8. Add additional groups or standalone fields as needed to build the full description.
  9. Click Save.

Example: Basic Text Override

Setup: A combined column where Privilege Reason Text takes precedence over Privilege Reason.

Group 1 fields (top-to-bottom):

  1. Privilege Reason Text
  2. Privilege Reason

When Privilege Reason Text is populated:

  • Privilege Reason Text = "contains mixed legal and business advice"
  • Result: Contains mixed legal and business advice.

When Privilege Reason Text is empty (fallback):

  • Privilege Reason = "containing legal advice"
  • Result: Containing legal advice.

Example: Full Privilege Description

Build a combined column resembling a real privilege log sentence:

Field order:

  • Privilege Draft (standalone)
  • Privilege Document Type (standalone)
  • Group 1: Privilege Reason Text → Privilege Reason
  • Privilege Work Product (standalone)
  • Privilege Subject Matter (standalone)

With values:

  • Privilege Draft = "draft"
  • Privilege Document Type = "email"
  • Privilege Reason = "containing legal advice"
  • Privilege Work Product = "prepared in anticipation of litigation"
  • Privilege Subject Matter = "regarding the present litigation"

Result: Draft email containing legal advice prepared in anticipation of litigation regarding the present litigation.

Example: Mixed Overrides

Populate only some text override fields:

  • Privilege Reason Text = "contains legal advice and strategy"
  • Privilege Subject Matter Text = "regarding DOJ investigation"

The combined column uses the overrides where populated and falls back to the controlled fields for the rest.

Formatting

Even after Trumping Order is saved and the structure is locked:

  • Click any field pill in the combined column to adjust case formatting or multi-value separators.
  • Formatting changes apply immediately without reopening the Precedence Rule modal.
  • Global formatting (capitalize first letter, add trailing period) applies to the final output of the entire combined column.