For a small legal team, a database should be predictable: available offline, stored close to working files, and easy to move between machines. SQLite fits that scenario well.
Practical advantages
- a single file is easier to back up and archive;
- no mandatory dependency on a remote server;
- fast search across local cards and directories;
- a clear data ownership model for the office.
A local database does not remove the need for backups and access discipline. But it makes the system transparent: the lawyer knows where the data lives and how it can be restored.
When a server is needed
If a team works from several cities at the same time and needs roles, audit, and real-time sync, a server architecture may be a better fit. For autonomous practice, local storage often gives the best balance of simplicity and control.