This indicates that the case originated from another appliance and was brought into the current appliance as a migration or a case restore. This can occur if the appliance that created the case originally has had to be rebuilt.
 
When backup files are copied to the Case Backup folder on the appliance (for example “D:\CW\V7xx\caseBackups\cases”), Clearwell will find the backup files but will also appreciate that they are not from a case that it created. The backup the files are then labelled as "foreign” and this will remain even after they are restored and, where necessary, upgraded to the current version.
 
Clearwell will first move any newly discovered case backups to the Archive tab under All Processing. Once the case is restored from the Archive tab, Clearwell will move the case backup to the Backup tab. The (foreign) label will remain on the case backup.
 
Please be aware that once the restored cases have been accessed and newer backups have been taken, new backups run by the appliance will still have the (foreign) label.
 
Please note: restoring a case from a newer version of Clearwell to an older version of Clearwell is neither possible nor supported.

 

When reviewing case backups under All Processing - Backups, there may be current backups listed with the entry (foreign) next to them: