Case and Workflow

LegalAtoms defines legal process as finite state machines. Each type of case e.g. Restraining Order has a distinct finite state machine defined. Each specific case then an instance of the machine at a given state.

Another way to look at it is that LegalAtoms defines legal processes as a logical workflow which is roughly equivalent to a flow chart. Restraining Order as a legal case type may have a complex workflow but it would be well defined. Each box in the flow chart is a stage. A stage may have a few steps which are called section.

A specific legal case then flows through a workflow, and then accumulate content, relationships, and metadata as it goes through.