---
title: "End-of-service (file closing) letter in plain language"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/end-of-service-letter"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a54-end-of-service-letter"
area_id: "A54"
kind: "letter"
ai_level: "green"
version: 1
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-17"
---

# End-of-service (file closing) letter in plain language

> Original plain-language letter telling a client that a community legal centre or legal aid service has finished helping, what was done, what is still to happen and who is responsible, deadlines, documents returned, and…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/end-of-service-letter  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-17

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

Original plain-language letter telling a client that a community legal centre or legal aid service has finished helping, what was done, what is still to happen and who is responsible, deadlines, documents returned, and where to get more help.

## Key facts

- Kind: Letter. A letter or email you adapt and send.
- Practice area: [Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice.md)
- Jurisdictions: Australia
- AI level: Green. AI can do most of the drafting. A lawyer still reviews the result.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-17
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-17 against the 2 authorities it cites, for Australia.

## When to use it

Use whenever you close a file after advice, limited-scope help or casework, including when the client has stopped responding. Do not send it to an address that is not confirmed as safe, and do not use it to end a retainer mid-matter without considering the client's position.

## How AI may be used

AI may draft the letter from the file and the closing note in plain language, for the lawyer to check. Deadlines and outstanding steps must be confirmed against the file by the lawyer.

**AI may:**

- Draft the summary of what was done from the file notes and closing record
- List documents to be returned from the file's document register
- Simplify the language and check reading level

**AI must not:**

- Must not state any deadline or outstanding step that the lawyer has not confirmed from the file
- Must not include sensitive details the client may not want written down
- Must not be sent automatically without a lawyer approving it

**The lawyer checks:**

- Outstanding deadlines are correct and the client is told who is responsible
- Original documents are returned and the file retention period is correct
- The address is safe to write to
- Referral details are current

## Authorities

- [Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 rr 4.1.3, 7.1 and 9](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0244)
- [Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) Sch 1 APPs 11 and 12](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03712/latest/text)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/end-of-service-letter and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*