Solicitor—Fees

In light of established authority, at common law, termination of a retainer required solicitors to give reasonable notice and to have good cause for refusing to act further for the client. There might have been contractual terms reflecting or modifying those requirements, although under the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007 solicitors “must not cease acting for a client except for good reason and on reasonable notice”. The guidance of the code gave as an example of good reason for ending a retainer where there was a breakdown in confidence or the solicitors were unable to obtain proper instructions.