Singapore legislation
Regulation 7
Regulation 7
Responsibilities of legal practitioners to each other
Subregulation 1
The following principles guide the interpretation of this rule.Principles(a)A legal practitioner must always accord to another legal practitioner the proper respect due to the latter as a member of a noble and honourable profession.(b)A legal practitioner must deal with another legal practitioner in good faith and in a manner which is dignified and courteous, so that the matters on which they have been instructed can be properly and satisfactorily concluded or resolved in the best interests of their respective clients.(c)A legal practitioner must not deal with another legal practitioner in any manner that may adversely affect the reputation and good standing of the legal profession or the practice of law in Singapore.
Subregulation 2
A legal practitioner must treat other legal practitioners with courtesy and fairness.
Subregulation 3
A legal practitioner (A) must not communicate, about a matter in respect of which A represents a client, with any person whom A knows to be represented in the matter by another legal practitioner (B) unless —
A has the prior consent (whether express or implied) of B to communicate directly with that person;
both of the following apply:
there is a reasonable basis for A to communicate directly with that person;
prior to the communication, A has taken reasonable steps to notify B of A’s intention to communicate directly with that person, but B does not respond within a reasonable time after A’s notification;
the interests of A’s client will be severely prejudiced if the communication is delayed; or
A is authorised to communicate directly with that person by law or by an order of a court or tribunal.
Subregulation 4
A legal practitioner (A) may give a second opinion to a client of another legal practitioner (B), with or without the knowledge of B, but must not improperly seek to influence the client to terminate the relationship between the client and B.
Subregulation 5
A legal practitioner who appoints another legal practitioner must pay or ensure the payment of the latter’s fees, unless both legal practitioners agree otherwise.
Subregulation 6
A legal practitioner must honour every undertaking the legal practitioner gives to another legal practitioner.
Subregulation 7
A legal practitioner (A) must not give an undertaking to another legal practitioner unless —
A believes that the undertaking is necessary; and
A knows (when giving the undertaking) that A is able to honour the undertaking.
Subregulation 8
A legal practitioner may ask another legal practitioner (B) whether B has the authority to act for a person.
Subregulation 9
A legal practitioner (A) must accept a written representation by another legal practitioner (B) that B is authorised to act for a person, unless A has good reason for suspecting that the representation is false.