6-7.2 Procedures to Follow to Issue a Legal Hold Notice The procedures to issue a legal hold notice are the following: In connection with any pending or anticipated legal proceeding, investigation, or audit, the Office of General Counsel determines whether it is necessary to issue one or more Legal Hold Notices. In those instances, the Office of General Counsel will develop and issue a Legal Hold Notice. When a legal hold is no longer necessary, the Office of General Counsel will issue a Release Notice.