Rule 29 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners
Rule 29 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) 2023 is about Change of lawyer. It is under Part III (Relation with other Lawyers) of Chapter 1 (Conduct) of the Rules. It provides as follows:
(1) Where a client changes his lawyer on a pending matter, the new lawyer shall—
(a) promptly give notice to the former lawyer ; and
(b) use his best endeavours to ensure that the former lawyer is paid his earned fees.
(2) Where in litigation, a client changes his lawyer both the old lawyer and new lawyer shall give notice of the change to the court.
(3) Where a client changes his lawyer—
(a) the client is entitled to —
(i) all letters written by the lawyer to other persons at the direction of the client,
(ii) copies of letters written by the lawyer to other persons at the direction of the client,
(iii) drafts and copies made in the course of business, and
(iv) documents prepared from such drafts ; and
(b) the lawyer is entitled to—
(i) all letters written by the client to the lawyer ;
(ii) copies of letters addressed by the lawyer to the client ; and
(iii) a lien on the papers or documents of his client in respect of unpaid fees.
(4) The provisions of this rule shall be subject to any applicable rule of court.
