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Your client's side of the dispute, in one place, early.

For attorneys starting on a dispute: send your client one checklist for the contracts, correspondence, photos and records it turns on. They upload through a private link, and reminders chase the rest.

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How it works

One dispute, four steps.

From the first call about a dispute to your client's documents, reviewed and in your case file.

  1. 1

    Pick the dispute template

    One list for each kind of dispute.

    Start the request from your template for a contract dispute, an employment claim or a property damage claim, then add or remove documents for this client.

    Create a template
  2. 2

    Send a private link

    One link for the whole set.

    Add a line under a document where it helps, such as "the whole thread, with dates", set a due date and send. Your client uploads from a phone or computer, with no account.

    Create a request
  3. 3

    Let reminders follow up

    Only what's missing, until it's in.

    By default, reminders go out 3 and 7 days after you send the request and shortly before the due date, listing only what's outstanding.

    How automatic reminders work
  4. 4

    Review each file

    Approve it, or ask for the complete copy.

    Approve each document, or ask for a replacement when pages are missing or a photo is unclear. The earlier file stays in the history.

    Ask a client for a replacement file

Features

What keeps a dispute's documents in order.

A template per kind of dispute

Build your contract, employment and property damage lists once, then start each request from the one that fits.

Create a template

A note on each document

Say exactly what you need. Your client sees the line under that document's name.

Add, remove or rename requested documents

Every version kept

A contract without its schedules: ask for a replacement with a note. The file you sent back stays in the history, and you can still download it.

Ask a client for a replacement file

Who did what, and when

The request's activity shows when your client first opened the link and uploaded, and who on your team approved, sent back or downloaded files.

Review and approve uploads

Client notes

Your client can explain a gap in a note from their upload page, such as where an original is.

Read and reply to client notes

ZIP download for your case file

Download the request's files as one ZIP, with earlier versions in their own folder. GarnerDocs deletes them after the retention period you choose.

Download all files as a ZIP

A dispute, start to finish

Before disputes come in, build a template for each kind you handle. Each request gets its own copy to tailor.

After the first call, add the client, a person or a business, and create their request from the template that fits. Title it after the dispute, remove what doesn't apply, add a line under a document where it helps, and send. Your client gets one private link for the whole set.

As files arrive, reminders chase only what's still missing. Your client can add a note, for example to say the original contract is in their office safe.

When something's wrong, such as an email thread cut short, ask for a replacement with a note shown next to that document.

When it's all in, download the files as a ZIP for your case file. A dispute often outlasts the retention period you choose, so download before the files are deleted.

What the activity history records

Each request's activity shows when your client first opened the link, uploaded files and left notes, and which of your team approved files, asked for a replacement, sent a reminder or downloaded all the files.

  • Uploads are recorded under your client's name. Anyone with the link uploads as your client, and GarnerDocs doesn't record which person used it.
  • Each file keeps its own record: the name your client gave it, when it was uploaded, and who approved it or sent it back, with your note.
  • Files you send back are kept under History, and a ZIP puts them in an _earlier versions folder. The exception is a file your client removes in the same visit, before you've reviewed it. That file is deleted, and its upload drops out of the history.
  • After the files are deleted, the file names, review decisions and activity stay. See what stays after files are deleted.

It's a record of what happened in GarnerDocs, for your team. It isn't a chain-of-custody record, and it doesn't show where a document came from or that it hasn't been changed.

Example dispute checklist

The agreement

  • The signed contract, with every schedule and amendment
  • Purchase orders, quotes and change orders

What was said

  • Emails and letters with the other side, saved as PDFs
  • Text messages, as screenshots showing the dates

What happened

  • Photos of the goods, the work or the damage
  • Invoices and payment records
  • A timeline of events in your client's own words
Typical examples to tailor to each client

This isn't a list of what any court or rule requires. This page isn't legal advice.

What GarnerDocs doesn't do

GarnerDocs isn't eDiscovery.

It collects the documents your own client chooses to upload. It isn't a review platform, and it doesn't apply Bates numbers, place legal holds, collect from mailboxes or devices, or produce documents to the other side.

It isn't case management either, and it doesn't connect to Clio, MyCase or any other system. It doesn't redact files or check that a document is genuine. Read how files are protected on the Security page.

Questions

Is GarnerDocs an eDiscovery tool?

No. It gets documents from your own client to your team. There's no review platform, Bates numbering, legal holds or production to the other side. The files go only to your team.

Does the activity show which person uploaded each file?

It shows your client's name and when the files arrived. Anyone with the link uploads under your client's name, and GarnerDocs doesn't record which person used it, so ask your client to say in a note who sent what.

Are files I send back kept?

Yes, under History on the document, until the request's files are deleted. The exception is a file your client removes in the same visit, before you review it.

Can my client send emails, text messages and videos?

Each document accepts PDF, JPG, PNG and ZIP by default, and you can allow Word, Excel, CSV and HEIC. Emails can be saved as PDFs and texts sent as screenshots. Other files, such as videos, can go in a ZIP within the document's size limit.

How long are files kept?

For the retention period your firm chooses: 30, 90, 180 or 365 days after a request is completed. A dispute can run longer, so download what you need into your case file.

Related

  • For law firms

    New matters, estates, disputes: send your client one checklist for the matter through a private link, and let reminders chase whatever is still missing.

  • Reviewing documents

    Ask a client for a replacement file

    Send a file back with a note, and your client uploads a new one with the same link.

  • Data and security

    What stays after files are deleted

    The files go. The request, its checklist and its history stay.

Spend less time chasing. More time doing the work that matters.

Make document collection the easiest part of working with your clients.

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