Law Practice Essentials

Before closing a file, a firm must consider which parts of the file will be returned to the client. Best practice is to provide original documents and other important materials to the client. The remaining file contents may belong either to the client or the lawyer. The lists below provide more specific guidance on this. 

File ownership is also an important issue when a file is transferred to new counsel.  File transfers may be subject to solicitors' liens, which is a separate topic. If the client has paid all outstanding accounts, certain parts of the file belong to the client, subject to the following comments.