---
title: What are precedents?
description: Quickly generating necessary documents
---
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3. [DOCUMENT GENERATION FROM PRECEDENTS](https://support.connectworks.com/document-management-client-engagement?hsLang=en#document-generation-from-precedents)
# What are precedents?
## Quickly generating necessary documents
Precedents are templated documents to help draft specific documents for your clients. We provide precedents for both companies and trusts, as well as a large number of [workflows](https://support.connectworks.com/5662727-using-connectworks-workflows-checklists?hsLang=en) (often referred to as checklists) to help firms complete common tasks and quickly generate the necessary documents. We also allow firms to [create their own precedents](https://support.connectworks.com/5663041-uploading-your-firm-s-own-precedents?hsLang=en).
### How are precedents used?
The Precedents section of your firm's Admin Tab provides access to all available precedents as well as maintaining your own. From this view, you can simply download a precedent and edit it as you see fit.
However, you will usually access precedents from within an entity workspace; simply access the entities documents section and select the "I would like to..." then select download a precedent.
In an entity workspace, precedents will automatically be filtered so you only view those that apply to the entity type, as well as your firm's precedents.
When accessing a precedent through an entity workspace, if the precedent supports merging then you may auto-populate fields within the precedent document directly from the information held against the entity.
This may allow you to automatically generate named signature fields for trustees or shareholders, insert registered addresses or simply insert the current date. Some precedents support form-based configuration, allowing you to manually enter additional information prior to generating the document.
We have a colour-coded "traffic-light" system which allows you to assign a level of knowledge required to use the precedent. This is really just a guideline for users, this system does not restrict staff at your firm from accessing or generating precedents.
See more on using precedents [here](https://support.connectworks.com/5662616-using-connectworks-precedents?hsLang=en).
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