General

Control numbers are a unique string of consecutive numbers.  They are similar to Bates numbers (sequential and can be printed on documents) and can be automatically assigned after a batch upload in the Lexbe eDiscovery Platform (LEP).

Purpose

Control numbers simplify the task of organizing documents, assembling document issues, and managing the review before Bates stamping is applied to a production.  Control numbers are document specific in LEP, meaning a control number is applied to each document followed by a paginated designation when stamping during Briefcase export (e.g. 1.001, 1.002, 1.003), providing users with a page-level internal reference number. A user is also able to add an optional prefix to the control numbers when stamping control numbers (e.g. LEXBE 1.001, LEXBE 1.002, LEXBE 1.003). LEP will automatically put documents in alphabetical order by Title, so assigning control numbers to un-produced documents ensures that the email families are maintained when exporting to a briefcase, or needing to sort for other reasons. 

Assigning Control Numbers 

Users can add control numbers by selecting the Case tab and choosing Add Case Documents. After all uploads in the queue have been completed, expand the Control Numbers drop-down and click "Assign to Case Docs" button. A control number will be assigned at the page level to each document in the case. 

Once control numbers have been added to the files, LEP will automatically check to ensure the numbers are not duplicated.  If control numbers are added to subsequent batches of files, LEP will start where the last control number left off, avoiding the possibility of two users creating the same control number at any time. If control numbers are being used in a case, each time new documents are added, the user must click "Assign to Case Docs" for the numbers to populate on the new documents.  It is not done automatically.