A storage unit operates by: receiving a write slice request, wherein the write slice request includes a plurality of encoded data slices and wherein the write slice request corresponds to a range; determining whether a write lock conflict exists based on the range; issuing an unfavorable write slice response when the write lock conflict is determined to exist; and when the write lock conflict is determined to not exist: initiating local storage of the plurality of encoded data slices; and issuing a favorable write slice response.