Draft a New South Wales letter declining to act, with no date added
MaintainedLast reviewed
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- Draft a short letter saying the firm will not act. Include a warning that time may be running only in the words the lawyer supplies. State no date unless the lawyer has inserted that date.
- What the lawyer must review
- Do not add a time warning unless you have written the words.
- Use only the words and the date the lawyer supplies
- Do not say time is suspended for every minor
Rules that apply
The document starts from the task name. Change it if this piece of work is different.
The work product
Forum. New South Wales
Produce. A short letter declining to act, with no date unless the lawyer inserted one.
Have ready. The lawyer's decision not to act; Any warning words, and any date, the lawyer has written.
Example of the limit. Illustrative example: The firm will not act for a 16-year-old. The letter says so in the lawyer's words. It does not say that time stops until the person turns 18.
Stop and hand it back when
- The letter would add a date the lawyer has not written.
- The letter would apply section 50F to a motor accidents claim.
Sources for this task were checked on 2026-10-23.
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Draft a short letter saying the firm will not act. Include a warning that time may be running only in the words the lawyer supplies. State no date unless the lawyer has inserted that date. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- No opened New South Wales rule requires a letter declining to act to contain a particular warning about time. If a warning is included, it is in the words the lawyer supplies.
- Do not insert a date. If the lawyer has inserted one, copy it. Do not calculate it from section 50F, and do not use that section for a Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 claim or a Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 claim: section 50A(3).
- Do not say that time is suspended for every minor. Under section 50F a minor is under a disability only while the minor does not have a capable parent or guardian, and only for a cause of action to which the Division applies.
- The length of the discoverability period was not opened. The letter states no period.
Sources
- Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), section 50A · 2026-10-23
- Limitation Act 1969 (NSW), section 50F · 2026-10-23
- Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW), rule 7.1 · 2026-10-23
Health and wage records stay in a firm-controlled tool. The lawyer applies ASCR r 9 and APP 11, and decides whether any breach is notifiable under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
The letter is received by the person who enquired. The lawyer reads it before it is sent.