Secure Document Redaction for Law Firms

Why Law Firms Cannot Use Cloud Redaction Tools

Uploading privileged documents to a third-party server creates a chain of custody problem. Even if the provider claims deletion, server logs, CDN caches, backup systems, and employee access introduce risk that is difficult to audit.

For privileged communications, discovery documents, and client files, the safest approach is to process locally — where the file never leaves the device it was opened on.

What Legal Documents Contain

• Client full names and contact details
• Case numbers and court references
• Opposing party and witness identifiers
• Financial records — account numbers, TFN, ABN
• Medical records and health identifiers (IHI, Medicare)
• Addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
• Privileged legal advice and strategy notes

How to Redact Legal Documents

1. Export client data as CSV or XLSX from your practice management system.
2. Drop the file into WorkLens — it scans automatically using 15 detection layers.
3. Review flagged items: names, phone numbers, addresses, TFN, Medicare numbers.
4. Click any cell to manually add or remove redaction flags.
5. Download the redacted copy — PII replaced with labels like [Person Name], [Tax File Number].
6. Store the SHA-256 audit hash as proof that the redaction was performed.

What WorkLens Detects in Legal Files

Pattern matching finds structured identifiers: TFN (mod-11 checksum validated), Medicare numbers, ABN (mod-89 validated), BSB codes, credit card numbers (Luhn validated), email addresses, and phone numbers.

The GLiNER AI model detects person names, organisation names, and addresses — including non-English names and ALL CAPS formatting common in court documents.

Each detection shows its confidence level and source. Critical items (checksum-verified) are flagged automatically. Sensitive items (AI-detected names) are shown for review.

The Audit Trail

Every scan generates a SHA-256 cryptographic hash covering the source file and all detection results. This hash is tamper-evident — if anyone modifies the scan results or the original file after the fact, the hash will not match.

This is useful for demonstrating to clients, courts, or regulators that a proper redaction process was followed before documents were shared.

Common Legal Scenarios

• Discovery production — redact irrelevant party details before disclosure
• Client onboarding — sanitise identification documents before storing in case files
• Expert reports — remove patient or client identifiers before sharing with opposing counsel
• FOIA / FOI requests — redact exempt information from government documents
• Merger due diligence — clean financial records before sharing with acquirer teams
• Insurance claims — remove claimant details from shared medical and financial records

Questions from Legal Teams

Try It on a Test File

No signup. No upload. Drop a CSV and see what WorkLens finds.