The file status is recorded on ALF as either “Open”
or “Closed”. These markings are termed the
‘status type.’
There are four types of “Open” marking:
| File status | What it means |
| O | File is open and active |
| O(INST) | File open for instalments only |
| O(S) | Instalment case where there are unmatched monies remaining on account |
| O(F) | File open for a future
claim only
F(CT) - Continuing Trust F(DT) - Discretionary Trust F(NH) - National Heritage Property F(WA) - Works of Art F(TB) or F(Timber)- Woodland Cases F(Rev) - Reversionary Review Each of these future claims is described in more detail at IHTM39011 onwards. |
In the past, the O(S) marking was used to denote that the file
was retained in the office in a suspense run for a period of six
months before being sent to store offsite in case there was any
correspondence. At the end of the six month period the file was
marked ‘C’ and sent to the offsite repository. This
practice has ceased.
A file is marked ‘C’ (Closed) at the ending stage
only when there are no instalments to pay and there are no future
claims. Closed files are subject to destruction after a set period
unless they are preserved permanently at the National Archives.
Future review dates and dates for destruction review are
recorded on ALF by the registry when the file status is
changed.
