Evidence and Document Preservation Policy

Purpose

Cases are won and lost on evidence. This policy explains how NEO helps clients preserve the documents and information a matter needs, and the standards we hold to.

Our policy

1. Early advice. At the start of a matter, we tell the client what to keep: contracts, receipts, photos, messages, emails, notices and anything else that may be relevant, including things that may not help their case.
2. Originals kept safe. Clients are asked to keep originals and give us copies. Original messages are kept on the device or account where possible, with exports or screenshots made in full rather than cropped.
3. Never destroyed or altered. We never advise or help anyone to destroy, alter, hide or delay producing evidence, and we tell clients that doing so can seriously harm their case and may be unlawful.
4. Disclosure. We follow the disclosure rules of the court or tribunal, including producing documents that don't help our client where the rules require.
5. Secure storage. Documents clients give us are kept in private, encrypted storage under our Information Security and Data Breach Response Policy.
6. Chain of events. We record when and how we received important documents, so their source can be shown if questioned.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least once a year, and whenever the Law Society's By-Laws or rules change. The principal approves every change.

Questions

Email info@neolegalservices.com, call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, or write to us at Unit 236, 1099 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario L1V 1B5.