15. Lien over documents

    1. Notwithstanding Rule 14, when a solicitor claims to exercise a lien for unpaid legal costs over client documents which are essential to the client's defence or prosecution of current proceedings:
      1. if another solicitor is acting for the client, the first solicitor must deliver up the documents to the second solicitor:
        1. if the second solicitor undertakes to hold the documents subject to the lien and maintains reasonable security for the unpaid costs; or
        2. if the first solicitor agrees to the second solicitor agreeing to pay, or entering into an agreement with the client to procure payment of, the first solicitor's costs upon completion of the relevant proceedings; or
      2. alternatively, the solicitor, upon receiving reasonable security for the unpaid costs, must deliver the documents to the client.

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Can I assert a lien over a client’s passport? Can I assert a lien over all of the client's files? Can I assert a lien over an original will? Can I assert a lien over the file of a totally legally-aided client? I am asserting a lien on a file. The client has asked for documents or information from the file. Do I have to comply? What is meant by ‘reasonable security’ in rule 15.1 ASCR?

Guidance statements

No.30 Transfer of files

This Guidance Statement provides assistance to solicitors in complying with their ethical duties when dealing with the transfer of files to another practitioner or their client. *Updated 22 October 2024