Give the client their documents on request when the engagement ends unless an effective lien applies
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- From the file, record the date the engagement was completed or terminated, who has asked for the documents, whether that person is the client, the former client or someone the client or former client has authorised, and whether the documents are electronic. List any lien already noted on the file. Do not decide that a lien is effective. Do not draft the covering letter or say the documents have been given.
- What the lawyer must review
- Decide whether rule 14.1 requires the documents to be given, and sign any letter that goes with them. On the text opened, a solicitor with designated responsibility must ensure that, on completion or termination of the engagement, the client or former client, or another person they have authorised, is given any client documents, or copies if the documents are electronic, as soon as reasonably possible when the client requests them, unless there is an effective lien. The opened rule does not define when a lien is effective. Confirm that this compilation applies to the practice.
- Written for / version
- US
Open a jurisdiction version of this task to see which instruments apply: US
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | From the file, record the date the engagement was completed or terminated, who has asked for the documents, whether that person is the client, the former client or someone the client or former client has authorised, and whether the documents are electronic. List any lien already noted on the file. Do not decide that a lien is effective. Do not draft the covering letter or say the documents have been given. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Take the completion or termination date from the engagement record.
- Record who asked, and whether authority is already on the file if the person is not the client.
- If the documents are electronic, the opened rule speaks of copies.
- Do not treat a costs note as an effective lien. The lawyer decides that.
Sources
- Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 (WA compilation), rule 14 · 2026-10-22
These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.