array( 'rule' => array('stringNotEmpty'), ), 'expanded' => array( 'rule' => array('stringNotEmpty'), ), ); public $hasMany = array( 'TaxonomyEntry' => array( 'dependent' => true ) ); public function beforeValidate($options = array()) { if (empty($this->data['TaxonomyPredicate']['expanded'])) { $this->data['TaxonomyPredicate']['expanded'] = $this->data['TaxonomyPredicate']['value']; } parent::beforeValidate(); return true; } }