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  Phil Voice August 25, 2008 at 5:30pm

  I believe the legal requirement is six years.
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co August 25, 2008 at 5:44pm

  Six years of old emails, plans and letters, gonna get myself a bigger space!
  
  Thanks Phil, looking forward burning the really old stuff this evening.
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  Phil Voice August 25, 2008 at 6:13pm

  Hi Kerrie
  
  I thought I had better check my facts (especially as you might be close to throwing a match in your paper) - it looks like six years for accounts (unless there has been a dispute previously that might require you to hold them a bit longer)
  
  I am like you and I have still got some of my original invoices and accounts books from 1984 (How I ever lived on my earnings I will never know)
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co August 25, 2008 at 6:39pm

  Kept any files that are younger then six years old and others that may have disputes in the distant past (only two). All the rest (six years old) have been prepared for torching.
  
  It feels a bit libera†ing to be honest. Those gardens have been designed, built, planted and have and are currently being enjoyed by some really lovely people. No need for them to be stuck on paper, they live. Moving on, with more files!
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  Phil Voice August 25, 2008 at 7:40pm

  I know what you mean about being enjoyed by lovely people - it doesn't happen often but I was once given a blank but signed Coutts cheque (honestly). A photo copy remained on my office wall until the day I packed up the office for the move to France and it is in my box of memories in the barn.
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  Andrew Fereday August 25, 2008 at 7:57pm

  Hi Kerrie,
  
  Just checked with Cat - she has said that the statute of limitations in a law court in England & Wales (not Scotland) is six years - that's in case anything does go to court. For money laundering, it's five years. I don't think there is a maximum time that you have to keep stuff but I would say that six years is probably about right.
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co August 25, 2008 at 8:25pm

  The incinerator is now up to max. Want to be a witch of Eastwick and set fire now it's getting dark. This could result in a very smelly and uncomfortable nights breathing though.
  First thing...........
  
  Knew Cat was a clever bod, but oh god, what do I do about the money laundering?...........