Overview
Templates let you save documents as reusable starting points for future contracts. Instead of drafting similar agreements from scratch each time, start from a template that already has your preferred structure and language.Template Types
Public Templates
Pre-built templates available to all Arbiter users:- Standard NDAs
- Common services agreements
- Employment contracts
- Basic lease agreements
- Consulting agreements
Public templates are maintained by Arbiter and updated regularly to reflect best practices.
Private Templates
Templates you create for your own use:- Your firm’s preferred contract forms
- Client-specific templates
- Jurisdiction-specific versions
- Industry-specific agreements
Organization Templates
Templates shared across your team (if in organization mode):- Firm-wide standard forms
- Approved clause libraries
- Matter-specific templates
- Client template sets
Accessing the Template Library
1
Open Template Library
Click “Template Library” in the sidebar, or access from New Document menu
2
Browse Categories
Filter by:
- Public / Private / Organization
- Document type (NDA, Services, Employment, etc.)
- Jurisdiction
- Language
- Sector/Industry
3
Preview Template
Click any template to preview its contents and metadata
4
Use Template
Click “Use Template” to create a new document from it
Using a Template
When you select a template:1
Create New Document
A new document is created with the template’s content
2
Customize
Edit the content for your specific use case:
- Replace placeholder parties
- Adjust terms and values
- Add or remove sections
3
Save Your Document
Save as a regular document, separate from the template
Creating Your Own Templates
From an Existing Document
1
Prepare Your Document
Create or open a document you want to template
2
Generalize Content
Consider replacing specific details with placeholders:
- “[Party A Name]” instead of actual company name
- “[Effective Date]” instead of specific date
- ”[$ Amount]” for values
3
Save as Template
From the document menu, click “Save as Template”
4
Add Metadata
Fill in template details:
- Template name
- Description
- Document type
- Jurisdiction (if applicable)
- Language
- Sector/Industry
5
Choose Visibility
- Private - Only you can use this template
- Organization - Shared with your team (if in org mode)
Template Metadata
Good metadata helps you find templates later:| Field | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Quick identification | ”Standard NDA - California” |
| Description | What it’s for | ”Mutual NDA for tech company partnerships, California law” |
| Type | Document category | NDA, Services, Employment |
| Jurisdiction | Governing law | California, Delaware, New York |
| Language | Document language | English, Spanish, French |
| Sector | Industry focus | Technology, Healthcare, Finance |
Managing Templates
Editing Templates
To update a template:- Open Template Library
- Find your template
- Click “Edit Template”
- Make changes
- Save
Deleting Templates
- Open Template Library
- Find your template
- Click the menu (three dots)
- Select “Delete Template”
- Confirm deletion
Template Versions
Templates don’t have automatic versioning, but you can:- Create new templates with version numbers (“NDA v2”, “NDA v3”)
- Keep old versions as separate templates
- Use descriptions to note what changed
Organization Templates
Creating Organization Templates
If you’re an admin or owner:- Create a document with your standard language
- Save as Template
- Select “Organization” visibility
- Add metadata to help team members find it
Using Organization Templates
Team members can:- Access all organization templates
- Create documents from them
- Cannot edit organization templates (unless admin)
Template Governance
Designate Template Owners
Assign specific team members as template owners responsible for maintenance and updates.
Document Approval Process
Establish a review process before templates become “official” organization templates.
Version Control in Names
Include version info in template names: “Services Agreement - v3.2 (2025)“
Best Practices
Keep Templates Current
Review templates quarterly to ensure they reflect current law and best practices.
Use Clear Naming
Descriptive names save time: “NDA - Mutual - California - Tech Industry” is better than “NDA 1”
Include Placeholders
Use consistent placeholder format: [Party Name], [Date], [$ Amount]. This makes find-and-replace easy.
Add Usage Notes
Include notes in the description about when to use the template and any customization guidance.
Templates with AutoDrafter
Combine templates with AutoDrafter:- Use a template that provides structure/headings
- Enable AutoDrafter to generate content
- Template ensures consistent section organization
- AutoDrafter fills in tailored language
- Maintaining firm-wide structure
- Adding custom content to standard forms
- Quickly creating first drafts from skeletal templates
Troubleshooting
Can't find my template
Can't find my template
- Check if you’re filtering by the right category
- Clear all filters and search by name
- Verify you’re in the correct mode (Personal vs. Organization)
Can't create organization templates
Can't create organization templates
- Verify you’re in organization mode
- Check your role (must be Admin or Owner)
- Ensure organization subscription is active
Template content appears different
Template content appears different
- Templates may have been updated
- Check the template’s last modified date
- Documents aren’t affected by template updates