Can I report my lawyer in Albania for refusing to return my case file after I ended the mandate?

Thank you for your inquiry. Regarding the difficulties you are experiencing with your former counsel, please be advised that the withholding of a client’s file is a significant breach of professional ethics.

​Under the prevailing principles of legal practice, the case file remains the property of the client. A lawyer’s duty to surrender all papers and property upon termination of a mandate is absolute, especially when further delays could cause "foreseeable prejudice" to your legal standing or cause you to miss court-mandated deadlines.

​Please be assured that we are fully prepared to resolve this matter on your behalf.

​Upon formalizing our engagement, as your new legal counsel, I can seamlessly facilitate the retrieval of your entire case file and all relevant documentation. This is a standardized procedure between law firms. My office will handle the formal demand for the immediate turnover of all records, ensuring that your prior counsel complies with their statutory obligations without further inconvenience to you. This direct intervention typically mitigates delays and ensures the integrity of your legal strategy remains intact.

​I am available to discuss the immediate next steps to secure your documents and protect your interests.

You are fully entitled to receive your complete case file from your former lawyer without unjustified delay. A lawyer cannot withhold documents, correspondence, evidence, or procedural acts related to your case in order to pressure you for additional fees. Any such conduct may constitute a disciplinary violation. To protect your rights and avoid any risk of missed deadlines, it is important to act promptly. We recommend sending a formal legal notice demanding immediate delivery of the full file within a strict deadline and, if necessary, initiating a complaint before the competent Bar Association. Our lawyers can immediately take over your case, formally request the transfer of the file on your behalf, and ensure continuity of representation so that no procedural deadlines are compromised. We will also assess whether any professional misconduct has occurred and advise you on further legal steps. If you wish to proceed, we can arrange a consultation and begin representation without delay.