The rules on a firm using a closed matter's file
5 of 13 texts read govern a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client, each quoted from its own page, newest read 29 October 2026.
What it governs
Where it applies
What kind of text it is
What it says, in its own words
Every answer from every provision
Read across a row for one provision's answers, and open any of them for the quoted sentence, its text and the read date. A "not stated" cell means the text does not speak to that question.
| Provision | What it governs | Where it applies | What kind of text it is | What it says, in its own words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABA Model Rule 1.16(d) | what is owed when a representation ends or a practice is sold | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | The lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent permitted by other law. |
| ABA Model Rule 1.17 | what is owed when a representation ends or a practice is sold | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of law practice… |
| ABA Model Rule 1.6 | a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless… |
| ABA Model Rule 1.8(b) | a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | A lawyer shall not use information relating to representation of a client to the… |
| ABA Model Rule 1.9(c) | a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | reveal information relating to the representation except as these Rules would permit or… |
| California rule 1.6 | a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client | United States | a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct | maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself or herself to preserve… |
| CDPA 1988 s11 | who first owns a work made by staff | United Kingdom | a statute, rule of evidence or procedure | The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following… |
| DPA 2018 s170 | personal or criminal offence data and its lawful use | United Kingdom | a statute, rule of evidence or procedure | It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly |
| Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3) | privilege or work product and how disclosure waives it | United States | a statute, rule of evidence or procedure | Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in… |
| Federal Rule of Evidence 502 | privilege or work product and how disclosure waives it | United States | a statute, rule of evidence or procedure | the waiver extends to an undisclosed communication or information in a federal or state… |
| ICO criminal offence data | personal or criminal offence data and its lawful use | United Kingdom | a regulator's or law society's guidance | For example, data about criminal allegations or convictions may have a particular impact… |
| Law Society of Scotland file guidance | who owns the documents in a client file | United Kingdom | a regulator's or law society's guidance | Notes of internal meetings and telephone calls, which form part of the solicitor's… |
| SRA confidentiality guidance | a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client | United Kingdom | a regulator's or law society's guidance | requires you to keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless… |
Quoted wording for all 52 answers
- ABA Model Rule 1.16(d), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16 declining or terminating representation, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled
- ABA Model Rule 1.16(d), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16 declining or terminating representation, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled
- ABA Model Rule 1.16(d), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16 declining or terminating representation, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled
- ABA Model Rule 1.16(d), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.16 declining or terminating representation, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
The lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent permitted by other law.
- ABA Model Rule 1.17, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.17 sale of law practice, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of law practice, including good will, if the following conditions are satisfied:
- ABA Model Rule 1.17, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.17 sale of law practice, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of law practice, including good will, if the following conditions are satisfied:
- ABA Model Rule 1.17, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.17 sale of law practice, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of law practice, including good will, if the following conditions are satisfied:
- ABA Model Rule 1.17, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.17 sale of law practice, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
A lawyer or a law firm may sell or purchase a law practice, or an area of law practice, including good will, if the following conditions are satisfied:
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.6 confidentiality of information, read 2026-10-24, What it governs:
A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.6 confidentiality of information, read 2026-10-24, Where it applies:
A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.6 confidentiality of information, read 2026-10-24, What kind of text it is:
A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.6 confidentiality of information, read 2026-10-24, What it says, in its own words:
A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b).
- ABA Model Rule 1.8(b), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.8 current clients: specific rules, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
A lawyer shall not use information relating to representation of a client to the disadvantage of the client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.8(b), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.8 current clients: specific rules, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
A lawyer shall not use information relating to representation of a client to the disadvantage of the client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.8(b), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.8 current clients: specific rules, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
A lawyer shall not use information relating to representation of a client to the disadvantage of the client unless the client gives informed consent
- ABA Model Rule 1.8(b), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.8 current clients: specific rules, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
A lawyer shall not use information relating to representation of a client to the disadvantage of the client unless the client gives informed consent, except as permitted or required by these Rules.
- ABA Model Rule 1.9(c), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.9 duties to former clients, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter or whose present or former firm has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter:
- ABA Model Rule 1.9(c), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.9 duties to former clients, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter or whose present or former firm has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter:
- ABA Model Rule 1.9(c), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.9 duties to former clients, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
A lawyer who has formerly represented a client in a matter or whose present or former firm has formerly represented a client in a matter shall not thereafter:
- ABA Model Rule 1.9(c), ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.9 duties to former clients, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
reveal information relating to the representation except as these Rules would permit or require with respect to a client.
- California rule 1.6, State Bar of California, Rule 1.6 confidential information of a client, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
A lawyer’s duty to preserve the confidentiality of client
- California rule 1.6, State Bar of California, Rule 1.6 confidential information of a client, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
A lawyer’s duty to preserve the confidentiality of client
- California rule 1.6, State Bar of California, Rule 1.6 confidential information of a client, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
A lawyer’s duty to preserve the confidentiality of client
- California rule 1.6, State Bar of California, Rule 1.6 confidential information of a client, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself or herself to preserve the secrets, of his or her client.
- CDPA 1988 s11, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11 first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it governs:
The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions.
- CDPA 1988 s11, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11 first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, Where it applies:
The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions.
- CDPA 1988 s11, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11 first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What kind of text it is:
The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions.
- CDPA 1988 s11, Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, section 11 first ownership of copyright, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions.
- DPA 2018 s170, Data Protection Act 2018, section 170 unlawful obtaining of personal data, read 2026-10-08, What it governs:
It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly
- DPA 2018 s170, Data Protection Act 2018, section 170 unlawful obtaining of personal data, read 2026-10-08, Where it applies:
It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly
- DPA 2018 s170, Data Protection Act 2018, section 170 unlawful obtaining of personal data, read 2026-10-08, What kind of text it is:
It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly
- DPA 2018 s170, Data Protection Act 2018, section 170 unlawful obtaining of personal data, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
It is an offence for a person knowingly or recklessly
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 trial-preparation materials, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 trial-preparation materials, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 trial-preparation materials, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(3), Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26 trial-preparation materials, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents and tangible things that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another party or its representative
- Federal Rule of Evidence 502, Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 502 attorney-client privilege and work product; limitations on waiver, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
When the disclosure is made in a federal proceeding or to a federal office or agency and waives the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection
- Federal Rule of Evidence 502, Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 502 attorney-client privilege and work product; limitations on waiver, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
When the disclosure is made in a federal proceeding or to a federal office or agency and waives the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection
- Federal Rule of Evidence 502, Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 502 attorney-client privilege and work product; limitations on waiver, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
When the disclosure is made in a federal proceeding or to a federal office or agency and waives the attorney-client privilege or work-product protection
- Federal Rule of Evidence 502, Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 502 attorney-client privilege and work product; limitations on waiver, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
the waiver extends to an undisclosed communication or information in a federal or state proceeding only if:
- ICO criminal offence data, ICO, what is criminal offence data, read 2026-10-08, What it governs:
Key provisions in the legislation - See UK GDPR Article 10
- ICO criminal offence data, ICO, what is criminal offence data, read 2026-10-08, Where it applies:
Key provisions in the legislation - See UK GDPR Article 10
- ICO criminal offence data, ICO, what is criminal offence data, read 2026-10-08, What kind of text it is:
Key provisions in the legislation - See UK GDPR Article 10
- ICO criminal offence data, ICO, what is criminal offence data, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
For example, data about criminal allegations or convictions may have a particular impact on:
- Law Society of Scotland file guidance, Law Society of Scotland, the ownership and destruction of files, read 2026-10-29, What it governs:
Documents produced by the client or produced by the solicitor for the client.
- Law Society of Scotland file guidance, Law Society of Scotland, the ownership and destruction of files, read 2026-10-29, Where it applies:
Documents produced by the client or produced by the solicitor for the client.
- Law Society of Scotland file guidance, Law Society of Scotland, the ownership and destruction of files, read 2026-10-29, What kind of text it is:
Documents produced by the client or produced by the solicitor for the client.
- Law Society of Scotland file guidance, Law Society of Scotland, the ownership and destruction of files, read 2026-10-29, What it says, in its own words:
Notes of internal meetings and telephone calls, which form part of the solicitor's preparatory work.
- SRA confidentiality guidance, SRA, confidentiality of client information, read 2026-10-08, What it governs:
requires you to keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents.
- SRA confidentiality guidance, SRA, confidentiality of client information, read 2026-10-08, Where it applies:
requires you to keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents.
- SRA confidentiality guidance, SRA, confidentiality of client information, read 2026-10-08, What kind of text it is:
requires you to keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents.
- SRA confidentiality guidance, SRA, confidentiality of client information, read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words:
requires you to keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents.
Not counted on this board
2 named documents fell outside what this board reads once we had read them; their reasons follow. They are tallied, never scored as answers.
- SRA, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs: the stored read is the SRA Code's contents page, which names 6.3 to 6.5 without their text; the SRA's confidentiality guidance quotes the duty and is its row
- Womble Bond Dickinson, solicitors: who owns your file: a law firm's article on the Law Society practice note; the charter admits it for name discovery only
Method
Each provision's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row).
For every text, four questions were answered from its own words: what it governs, where it applies, what kind of text it is, what it says, in its own words.
Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the text read does not address the question.
A provision with several texts reads 'varies' where they disagree.
13 provisions, 13 texts.
The 15 pages we read
- ABA Model Rule 1.6: confidentiality of information (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- ABA Model Rule 1.8: current clients, specific rules (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- ABA Model Rule 1.9: duties to former clients (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- ABA Model Rule 1.16: declining or terminating representation (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- ABA Model Rule 1.17: sale of law practice (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- Federal Rule of Evidence 502: attorney-client privilege and work product; limitations on waiver (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- State Bar of California, rule 1.6 (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- SRA, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs (read, set aside)
- SRA, confidentiality of client information (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- Law Society of Scotland, the ownership and destruction of files (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- ICO, what is criminal offence data (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- CDPA 1988 s11: first ownership of copyright (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- Data Protection Act 2018 s170: unlawful obtaining of personal data (quoted for comment from the publisher's own the ABA Model Rules, the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the State Bar of California, the SRA Code and guidance, the Law Society of Scotland, the ICO and UK statute)
- Womble Bond Dickinson, solicitors: who owns your file (read, set aside)
Use this figure
5 of 13 texts read govern a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client, each quoted from its own page, newest read 29 October 2026.
What it governs, by provision: a lawyer's duty of confidence to a current or former client 5 of 13, what is owed when a representation ends or a practice is sold 2 of 13, personal or criminal offence data and its lawful use 2 of 13, privilege or work product and how disclosure waives it 2 of 13, who first owns a work made by staff 1 of 13, who owns the documents in a client file 1 of 13 (13 provisions, read 29 October 2026).
Where it applies, by provision: United States 8 of 13, United Kingdom 5 of 13 (13 provisions, read 29 October 2026).
What kind of text it is, by provision: a bar's or regulator's rule of professional conduct 6 of 13, a statute, rule of evidence or procedure 4 of 13, a regulator's or law society's guidance 3 of 13 (13 provisions, read 29 October 2026).
What it says, in its own words, by provision: stated 13 of 13 (13 provisions, read 29 October 2026).
Suggested citation: "The rules on a firm using a closed matter's file", updated 2026-10-29, https://sellcasefilestoai.com/datasets/case-file-confidentiality-law/.
Get the CSV (52 answers, worked out 2026-10-29)