Ethics Ruling Number
R5047
Area of Law
Other
Category
Release of files
Ethics Ruling Date
10/16/2025
Ethics Pub Date
11/28/2025
Ethics Background
A law practice received a request to transfer all files and other documents related to a former client to the new firm of solicitors engaged by the client. The client is now aged 80. The solicitor who handled the matters at the law practice had concerns that the former client lacked capacity to request their file.
Ruling
In the opinion of the Ethics Committee and on the information presented:The law practice should provide the client’s new solicitors with the client documents requested by them.

Law Institute of Victoria
Ethics Committee of Law Institute of Victoria Ltd
Legal Ethics Manager
Phone: 03 9607 9336
Email: [email protected]

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