c.  Clients may think that discriminatory, arbitrary treatment is insignificant. Therefore, if you want to learn about discrimination they might have experienced, it may be helpful to ask about problems they have had accessing socio-economic rights, such as school enrollment or a bank account. d.  Can the form catalyze empowerment, with questions like “Do you commit to assisting two others?” e.  Noting if the client played an active role in their own case can help monitor empowerment outcomes and flag cases for further capacity building and support. THE INITIAL CONSULTATION, OR INTAKE INTERVIEW, IS A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR CAPTURING INITIAL DATA ON CLIENTS’ LIVES. f. Can every stage in a process be captured (e.g. appeal, reasons for denial)? 5. Structure the questions in a format that facilitates analysis. Avoid open-ended questions. Check-boxes are useful, although sometimes you might not be ready to determine a set range of categories for check-boxes. This might be something to revisit after you have used the form for a reasonable period of time and start to see patterns of similar responses. Text boxes that leave space for open-ended written details about a case or client can be useful for gathering information that is primarily for reviewing an individual case, but they are not very useful for comparison. 6. Review  existing questions related to legal identity documentation or access to rights and services that are used in national surveys and censuses. If possible, harmonize your database with the format used in these surveys, in order to compare and contrast your caseload with national trends. 7. Design the form: layout should facilitate the client interview. Sections can be useful, such as: a. Information about the client and his or her problem. b. The handling of the case, including the steps the client has taken as well as the paralegal. This section might include clients’ experiences of the case. c. Outcome of the case. d. Action log recording date and brief description of each step paralegal took. 8. T  rain paralegals to use the form, and adjust it based on their comments. They may have ideas about additional options that are needed or that it is too long. 9. Test the form with clients. 10. Change the content and design based on the tests, if necessary. 11. Train paralegals to use a revised version. The form is ready to be used at this point. It should be changed over time if you need new data or the context changes.  ee 8.2 Case Categories for guidance on breaking down your case S types when building a case form, and 8.4 First Meeting with a Client: How to Do Intake for advice on using such forms. DISCRIMINATION EMPOWERMENT SUSTAINABILITY DATA RELATED RESOURCES (EXTERNAL) RELATED SECTIONS (WITHIN) A C O M M U N I T Y- B A S E D P R A C T I T I O N E R ’ S G U I D E : D O C U M E N T I N G C I T I Z E N S H I P A N D OT H E R F O R M S O F L E G A L I D E N T I T Y | 61