Can Offense of an Advocate Be a Ground for Terminating Agreement With a Client?

Commented by Illya Kostin, partner at Legal Alliance Company for “Law and Business” Journal

It should be found when the agreement was unilaterally terminated by an advocate. It is crucial. If it happened in June 2017, it should be noted that advocacy ethics rules are effective since November 17th, 2012.

In accordance with Article 33 of the rules (previous edition), an advocate may resort to early termination of agreement with a client if the client takes actions damaging to dignity, decency and business reputation of the advocate. However, in case of termination initiated by the advocate, the latter must notify the client thereof within reasonable time, explain reasons for this step, make sure that such reasons cannot be removed and take necessary measures to protect lawful interests of the client. In this case refusal to start