Irish solicitors' firms face a perpetual problem: file retention requirements mean you can't destroy client files for 6–12 years (longer in some cases), but office space costs €30–€60 per square foot in city centres. You're effectively paying premium office rent to store boxes of old files. There's a better way.
Document Retention Requirements
The Law Society of Ireland recommends the following retention periods:
- Conveyancing files: 12 years from completion
- Litigation files: 6 years from conclusion (longer for personal injury)
- Wills and probate: Indefinitely (or until 12 years after the death of the testator)
- Company/commercial: 6–12 years depending on type
- General correspondence: 6 years minimum
The Cost of On-Premises Storage
If your office is in Dublin city centre at €50/sq ft, and you have a 100 sq ft room dedicated to file storage, you're paying €5,000/year just to store paper. In Cork or Galway, it's still €2,000–€3,000/year.
Peer-to-Peer Alternative
On Packhood, a dry spare room or attic suitable for file boxes costs €40–€80/month (€480–€960/year) — a fraction of the office space equivalent. Many hosts have shelving already in place.
Security Considerations
Solicitors' files contain confidential information. When choosing storage, ensure:
- The space is lockable with restricted access
- The host is identity-verified (standard on Packhood)
- Files are stored in sealed, labelled archive boxes
- You maintain an index so you can retrieve specific files efficiently
- The space is dry, preventing document degradation
For best practices on protecting documents in storage, see our guide to storing documents in Ireland. Free up expensive office space. Find secure file storage on Packhood and redirect your budget to billable square footage.