LEDES Billing Format: Complete Guide for Law Firms

What Is LEDES Billing?

LEDES (Legal Electronic Data Exchange Standard) is the industry-standard format for electronic legal billing. Major corporations and insurance companies require law firms to submit invoices in LEDES format.

Understanding LEDES isn't just about compliance—it's about getting paid faster and maintaining strong client relationships.

LEDES Format Basics

LEDES 1998B

The most common format, consisting of:

• Header line with invoice metadata
• Line items with task codes, activity codes, and amounts
• Pipe-delimited fields
• Fixed column positions

LEDES 2.0 XML

Newer XML-based format offering:

• Greater flexibility
• Better data validation
• Support for complex billing arrangements

Required LEDES Fields

Header Information

• Invoice Number: Unique identifier
• Invoice Date: Billing date
• Client Matter ID: Client's reference number
• Law Firm Matter ID: Your internal reference

Line Item Details

• Task Code: Type of work (e.g., L110 for Fact Investigation)
• Activity Code: Specific activity (e.g., A101 for Plan and Prepare)
• Timekeeper ID: Who performed the work
• Hours/Units: Time spent
• Rate: Billing rate

Common LEDES Task Codes

UTBMS (Uniform Task-Based Management System) codes categorize legal work:

• L100: Case Assessment and Planning
• L200: Pre-Trial Pleadings and Motions
• L300: Discovery
• L400: Trial Preparation and Trial
• L500: Appeal

Learn more about legal billing codes and their proper usage.

Avoiding LEDES Rejections

Common Errors

1. Invalid task codes: Using wrong or outdated codes
2. Block billing: Combining multiple tasks without breakdown
3. Missing required fields: Empty mandatory columns
4. Format errors: Wrong delimiters or encoding

Best Practices

• Validate files before submission
• Use approved task/activity code combinations
• Match client matter numbers exactly
• Include detailed narrative descriptions

E-Billing Vendor Integration

Major e-billing platforms that accept LEDES:

• Serengeti/Legal Tracker
• CounselLink
• LegalXchange
• Collaborati

See our guide on billing system integration for setup tips.

Automating LEDES Compliance

Modern billing software can:

• Auto-generate LEDES files from time entries
• Validate against client-specific rules
• Flag potential rejections before submission
• Track submission status

Ready to streamline LEDES billing? See how IntelliBill automates LEDES compliance.

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