Quickstart, overview, guide : Opus 2 Platform

Minimum Software Version	8.18.10
Solution(s)	Cases International ✓ Cases US ✓ Institutions ⨉ Counsel ✓

Provides an introduction to the core features of Opus 2, including documents, transcripts, and key worksheets.

Opus 2 is a secure cloud platform that unites multiple tools for litigation teams into one workspace. It enables users to manage, annotate, and hyperlink documents and transcripts while organising case data through structured worksheets such as Chronology, Characters, Designations, Notes, and Organisations.

Platform overview

Opus 2 provides a dynamic, centralised workspace accessible from any connected device. It supports end-to-end management of litigation materials, combining document management with structured data tools. Users can upload and organise documents and transcripts, apply annotations and tags, build chronologies, manage witnesses and organisations, and link all related materials for efficient collaboration and trial preparation.

Documents

The Documents page allows users to access, organise, and manage all case documents and transcripts. From this page, users can:

Upload and export documents and folders
Import document metadata (for example, document name, status, version, deponent, Bates numbers)
Apply issue tags
Apply exhibit stamps to folders or individual documents

Folders

Documents and transcripts are organised in folders within the Documents tab.

To create a folder:

Navigate to the Documents tab.
Select the + button in the sidebar.
In the Create Folder dialog, enter the folder name, description, colour, and location (nested folders are supported).

Note: Text-searchable PDFs are recommended for upload, but Opus 2 can perform OCR on documents if required.

Uploading documents and transcripts

Select the destination folder.
Select Upload from the toolbar and choose whether to upload documents or transcripts.
Drag and drop files into the dialog, or select Select Files to browse locally.
Confirm the destination folder and select whether OCR is needed.

Opening and annotating documents

To open a document, select the document name in the table, then select the preview in the right-hand preview pane.

Once open, users can highlight text to open the creation toolbar and:

Create notes
Create chronology events
Redact text
Create links to other documents or locations

Notes can include text, tags, and be shared with specific users. Notes can also be linked to Issues, Chronology events, Characters, or Organisations.

Example: Highlight a key paragraph and create a note that links the text to a chronology event.

Transcripts

Opus 2 supports collaborative transcript review, including designations, annotations, video synchronisation, exhibit linking, and exports.

To import a transcript:

Select Upload > Upload transcript from the Documents toolbar.
Drag and drop a supported transcript file or browse for files. Supported formats: TXT, PTF, MDB, PCF, LEF, XMEF.
Select the destination folder (a dedicated Transcripts folder is recommended).
Complete the details and select Save.

To link video to a transcript:

Select the transcript using the checkbox.
Select Actions > Manage media.
Upload or browse for the video file and save.

Inside the transcript viewer, users can highlight testimony to add annotations, designations, or links.

Characters

To add a character:

Select Add Character from the toolbar.
Complete the fields in the Add Character dialog:
- Image – Drag and drop a photo or browse for an image.
- Full name – Enter the character's full name (required).
- Role in case – Select the character's role from the dropdown.
- Job title – Enter the character's job title.
- Issues – Link one or more issues to the character.
- Organisation – Link the character to one or more organisations.
- Start and end date – Enter the relevant date range for the character's involvement.
- Telephone number – Enter a contact telephone number.
- Address – Enter the character's address.
- Email address – Enter a contact email address.
- LinkedIn – Enter a LinkedIn profile URL.
Select Save.

To edit a character, select the character in the table, update information in the Details panel, and save changes.

Characters can be viewed as a table, timeline, kanban cards, or calendar using the Display dropdown.

Chronology

The Chronology worksheet allows users to build a case timeline or fact log.

To create an event:

Select Add Event.
Complete the fields in the Add Event dialog:
- Date – Set the date using the On/At, Before, After, Between, or Starting at options. Add time and timezone if required.
- Type – Select the event type from the dropdown.
- Summary – Enter a summary of the event.
- Location – Enter a location if applicable.
- Issues – Link one or more issues to the event.
- Organisations – Link one or more organisations to the event.
- Characters – Link one or more characters to the event.
- Description – Enter a detailed description using the rich text editor.
- Tags – Select one or more tags.
- Status – Set the status (for example, Disputed).
- Highlighted text – Link highlighted text from a document or transcript to the event.
Select Save.

Events can also be created directly while reviewing documents or transcripts.

To edit an event, select it in the table, update the details in the right-hand panel, and save changes before navigating away.

Designations

The Designations worksheet manages annotated and designated excerpts from documents and transcripts. Designations can be added from Add Designation or directly from document or transcript viewers by highlighting text. They can be viewed as a table or as cards, and updated by editing details or dragging cards.

When adding a designation, the following fields are available:

Designation Range – The page, line, and word range of the designated passage.
Designation Type – Select the type of designation from the dropdown.
Tags – Select one or more tags.
Objection Basis – Select the basis for any objection from the dropdown.
Issues – Link one or more issues to the designation.
Designation – Link highlighted text from the document or transcript using the pencil or refresh icons.
Designation Notes – Enter any additional notes relating to the designation.

Notes

The Notes worksheet provides a consolidated view of all notes created across documents and transcripts. Users can search and edit notes from the table, and select the highlighted text icon to open the source document at the relevant location.

When adding a note, the following fields are available:

Share with – Control who can see the note (for example, all project users).
Highlighted text – Link highlighted text from a document or transcript to the note. For transcripts, the highlighted text field displays the specific page, line, and word range of the selected passage (for example, Page 4, Line 8, Word 1 – Page 4, Line 11, Word 7).
Note – Enter the note content using the rich text editor.
Tags – Select one or more tags.
Issues – Link one or more issues to the note.
Characters – Link one or more characters to the note.
Organisations – Link one or more organisations to the note.
Chronology – Link the note to one or more chronology events.
Notification setting – Set whether a notification is sent when the note is created (for example, No notification).

Organisations

The Organisations worksheet tracks companies and other entities involved in the case.

To add an organisation:

Select Add Organisation.
Complete the fields in the Add Organisation dialog:
- Name – Enter the organisation name.
- Description – Enter a description of the organisation.
- Involvement – Select the organisation's involvement from the dropdown.
- Highlighted text – Link highlighted text from a document or transcript to the organisation.
- Issues – Link one or more issues to the organisation.
Select Save.

Organisations can be edited from the Details panel and linked to characters, chronology events, documents, transcripts, and notes.

Opus 2 Quick Start Guide