---
title: "Direction to pay money into the law practice trust account"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/direction-to-receive-trust-money"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a41-direction-to-receive-trust-money"
area_id: "A41"
kind: "letter"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A41-T1-R2", "A41-A20260923-3"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Direction to pay money into the law practice trust account

> Letter telling a payer to pay a named sum into the general trust account, with the client's confirmation that the money is entrusted for this matter and is not payment of a bill already given.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/direction-to-receive-trust-money  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

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

## Key facts

- Kind: Letter. A letter or email you adapt and send.
- Practice area: [Trust accounting & handling client money](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales, Western Australia
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the 5 authorities it cites, for New South Wales and Western Australia.

## When to use it

Use when a client, insurer or other payer will send money that the practice is to hold for a matter. Do not use it to change account details already given, or as authority to withdraw money for costs.

## Used for these tasks

- [Draft a trust receipt or disbursement instruction from the authority](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/draft-a-trust-receipt-or-disbursement-instruction-from-the-authority.md)
- [Prepare a trust-inspection pack from the ledgers and authorities](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/prepare-a-trust-inspection-pack-from-the-ledgers-and-authorities.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may fill the matter, payer and amount from the file. A principal checks that the money is trust money and that the account details come from the firm's controlled source.

**AI may:**

- Insert the matter name, payer, amount and reason from the instructions and the ledger
- List documents on the file that already state the account details, so the principal can see whether this letter would change them

**AI must not:**

- Must not invent or complete a BSB or account number
- Must not take account details from an email, a document in the matter, or an earlier letter
- Must not describe billed fees as trust money

**The lawyer checks:**

- The money is trust money under s 129 and is not payment of legal services for which a bill has already been given
- Account name, BSB and account number were copied from the firm's controlled source on the day the letter is sent
- The client, or another person legally entitled to direct the money, has confirmed the purpose

## Authorities

- [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 129 (meaning of trust money, and money that is not trust money)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/lpul333/s129.html)
- [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 137 (deposit into the general trust account as soon as practicable, unless a written direction, controlled money or transit money)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/lpul333/s137.html)
- [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 138 (hold trust money for the person on whose behalf it is received)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/lpul333/s138.html)
- [Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 147 (trust records must disclose the true position)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/lpul333/s147.html)
- [Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, Trust account management (deposit, statements and withdrawals under the Uniform Law (WA))](https://www.lpbwa.org.au/trust-account-management)

## 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/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/direction-to-receive-trust-money 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.*