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AIBU?

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Original poster

If you are in the legal profession how regular is it to ditch a client?

39 replies

OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 22:34

How readily would it be done and why?

To frightened to say too much but very very interested. Please?

OP posts:
PronounIsWitch · 27/12/2018 22:38

Not legal but a similar profession. I let a large client go last year. It was that or my mental health. I felt very stressed dealing with them for a variety of reasons. Is it a similar situation?

NotAlwaysAPushover · 27/12/2018 22:40

Divorce solicitor here. Not common and you have to have grounds. Usually something like a breakdown of trust in the relationship, unpaid bill, or conflict of interest.

99RedBalloonsFloating · 27/12/2018 22:42

Are you the client?

There could be various reasons why a lawyer has to refuse to represent someone, or cease representing them. Eg: conflict of interest - where the lawyer already represents a party or has other connections to a party whose interests conflict with the potential client. Something called "professional embarrassment", where a lawyer is told something by a client suggesting their guilt (when the client has instructed the lawyer to plead their innocence).

Pachyderm1 · 27/12/2018 22:44

Very rare - I’ve actually never known it happen. You can’t just drop a client either - you owe them a duty of care, so you can’t prejudice them by simply refusing to act for them any more. You have to have a good reason and give plenty of warning etc.

Are you ok OP?

bumblenbean · 27/12/2018 22:44

I’m a solicitor and I’d say it’s very unusual unless insurmountable conflict of interest.

Notquiterichenough · 27/12/2018 22:45

I have around a hundred clients at anyone time. I very rarely "ditch" a client. In fact, it's only done if there is a real breakdown in the lawyer/client relationship.

More common for a client not to like the advice they are given, and to ditch the lawyer.

Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 22:46

I wish id changed my username before posting.

Yes divorce situation. Its been years in divorcing and now his lawyer is not his lawyer. Dont know why. Would the judge instantly be suspicious of someone who no longer had a lawyer? Is there 'between the lines' lawyer talk for 'ive ditched my client because he is a nasty lying bastard'.

OP posts:
Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 22:48

Its not me. Im sure the lawyer must have ditched him. I so hope it is a subliminal message in the court that everyone now knows hes a bastard.

OP posts:
Pachyderm1 · 27/12/2018 22:50

A judge would try not to make any inference from something like that, as there could be several reasons (unpaid bills, no longer affordable etc) which have nothing to do with the merits of your case.

Notquiterichenough · 27/12/2018 22:51

Okay, most likely is that:

  1. He didn't pay the lawyer;
  2. He didn't like the advice the lawyer was giving, so sacked the lawyer in a huff;
  3. He lied to the lawyer, who found themselves unable to act for him.
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 27/12/2018 22:52

In a divorce context it’s so unusual. Most likely a cost thing I would think and he’s disinstructed because he can’t afford any more bills.

Or do you have a reason to think the lawyer ditched him and not the other way around?

Notquiterichenough · 27/12/2018 22:53

Agree, the judge would try not to read anything into it, as it could simply be because he'd run out of money.

Welshwabbit · 27/12/2018 22:54

I think it very unlikely that the judge would jump to the conclusion that your ex's lawyer refused to continue acting for him. It is usually the other way round (client stops instructing because they've run out of money or don't like the advice they're getting).

Butchyrestingface · 27/12/2018 22:54

I so hope it is a subliminal message in the court that everyone now knows hes a bastard

Bit of a reach.

Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 22:56

I am certain he paid his bills.

I think he hacked personal data of mine and showed his solicitor.

He is impossible to deal with. He is sneaky and tells very convincing lies. He is exveptionally plausable. Even my lawyer believed him for a long time.

He has a hellish temper. He takes a long time to respond to or answer anything.

I thought the lawyer had to write to the judge explaining why they wouldnt represent their client anymore?

OP posts:
Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 22:58

If im right and his lawyer ditched him do they write a wishy washy letter or a straight to the point letter dismissing their client?

OP posts:
Butchyrestingface · 27/12/2018 22:58

I think he hacked personal data of mine and showed his solicitor.

Did someone tell you that? Confused

Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 23:00

No. Oh bugger im already saying too much. I reckon he has hacked personal data. He is using as his evidence private information from me that im sure he got from hacking my personal and private data.

OP posts:
Pachyderm1 · 27/12/2018 23:01

I think he hacked personal data of mine and showed his solicitor.

If this did happen it could well have put his lawyer into a conflict situation where they couldn’t continue to act, so you might be right.

That said, please don’t get too hung up on the idea of subliminal messages. Maybe his lawyer has ditched him, but any judge is going to be careful not to draw conclusions which aren’t supported by the evidence you put before him or her. The best thing you can do is focus on presenting the best possible case.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 27/12/2018 23:01

I only did family law as a trainee so you’ll need someone with more knowledge but as far as I remember we just sent in a notice of change of representation which is a one page form with no reasons given. Just said we weren’t acting and xxx were, or client is going to act personally. No letters.

BeachtheButler · 27/12/2018 23:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
OhioOhioOhio · 27/12/2018 23:09

Yes. I agree that im being daft about the subliminal messages but it is about time he got his comeuppance. He is so utterly convincing. All 'little boy lost'. I am so pleased to be almost rid of the vindictive bastard.

So if the data thing is correct does that make it difficult for his lawyer because she has to knowingly lie for him and has chosen not to?

Also, in my profession there are loads of code words for speaking in between the lines without being too disloyal. Do lawyers do the same?

And would you take on a client who had a case onwards of 3 years olus with no conclusion? To me it stinks but as you all point out im a bit clutching at straws.

OP posts:
cstaff · 27/12/2018 23:10

I do know a solicitor who dumped his client but it was not mid-deal. When the client contacted him about a new transaction the solicitor said that after the way you messed me around last time and refused to take my advice on so many issues I am refusing to act on this transaction. The client wasn't happy but not much he could do about it. Btw this was a commercial matter and not litigation.

FunnysInLaJardin · 27/12/2018 23:10

I'm a solicitor and my firm will ditch a rude client without hesitation. The partners at my firm will not tolerate rude unpleasant clients.

BeachtheButler · 27/12/2018 23:11

I've asked for my comment to be deleted. Having read the thread in full, it clearly has no bearing on the OP's situation.

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