Whether you can't open a solicitor's email attachment or can't send legal documents — this guide covers every likely cause and the clearest path to resolution.
The most common reasons solicitor attachments fail — and the quickest solutions.
| # | Problem | Quick Fix | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attachment won't open | Install Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or update it | 2 min |
| 2 | File is password-protected | Contact solicitor for the password (sent separately for security) | Instant |
| 3 | Email never arrived | Check spam/junk folder; ask solicitor to resend from a different format | 5 min |
| 4 | Attachment blocked by email provider | Ask solicitor to use a secure file-sharing portal instead | 10 min |
| 5 | Corrupted or empty attachment | Request the solicitor resend the original file from their system | Depends |
Legal correspondence involves sensitive documents — contracts, property searches, court orders, wills — often sent as PDFs. Solicitors frequently use encrypted or password-protected PDFs, secure client portals, or email encryption systems. Any mismatch between the sender's tools and the recipient's setup can cause an attachment error.
Corporate email systems (common in law firms) also apply strict filtering rules that block or strip attachments over certain file sizes or with certain extensions.
Many email providers (especially Gmail and Outlook) aggressively filter emails with PDF attachments from unknown solicitor domains. Check spam first before contacting the solicitor.
Solicitors almost always send documents as PDFs. Windows built-in Edge PDF viewer sometimes struggles with encrypted or form-based PDFs. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (free) for best compatibility.
Solicitors often send encrypted PDFs for security reasons (especially with personal data under GDPR). The password is usually sent via text message or a separate email. Contact your solicitor if you didn't receive it.
If viewing the attachment in webmail (Gmail, Outlook.com), download it to your device first, then open it with a dedicated PDF reader. Browser-embedded viewers often fail on complex legal documents.
If email delivery is repeatedly failing, ask the solicitor to share the document via a secure client portal (e.g. Clio, NetDocuments, or a signed link via DocuSign). This bypasses email filters entirely.
If you're the one sending to a solicitor, check whether your email provider is blocking large attachments. Gmail caps at 25MB. Ask the solicitor's firm for their preferred document submission method — many have a secure upload portal.
| Email Provider | Attachment Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB | Larger files auto-converted to Drive links |
| Outlook.com | 20 MB | Corporate Exchange limits may be lower |
| Yahoo Mail | 25 MB | Uses Dropbox for larger files |
| Law Firm (Corporate) | 10–20 MB | Often strict filtering on .exe, .zip, macros |
This usually means the email was sent with the attachment referenced but not properly embedded, or the file was empty. Contact your solicitor and ask them to resend directly from their document management system.
Generally yes, if you're expecting them. However, verify the sender's email address carefully — solicitor impersonation scams do exist, particularly around property transactions. Call the firm to verify if unexpected.
Ask them to try an alternative sending method — a portal link, WeTransfer, or a cloud-shared link. Many firms also have IT support who can investigate mail relay or encryption issues.