Chapter:	159H	Title:	SOLICITORS' PRACTICE RULES	Gazette Number:
Rule:	5D	Heading:	Steps to be taken in criminal matters	Version Date:	30/06/1997

Where a firm acts for a client in relation to that client's criminal litigation the solicitor in charge of that matter shall take the following steps-

(a) as soon as practicable and not more than 7 days after receiving instructions the firm shall confirm by letter to the client-
(i) the instructions given by the client;
(ii) the services to be provided by the firm;
(iii) the name of the solicitor in charge of the matter; (iv) the fee to be charged or an estimate of such fee; and (v) the name of counsel, his fee and any refreshers, or an estimate of such fee and refreshers,
and the firm shall secure the written and signed agreement of the client to those terms;
(b) if any material change occurs to the information contained in the letter provided to the client (for example, the identity of counsel) the firm shall within 7 days notify the client in writing of that change and secure the client's written and signed agreement to the change;
(c) at the end of the case the firm shall promptly deliver to the client an account, signed by a solicitor personally, which includes-
(i) the name and court number of the case;
(ii) the name of any counsel retained;
(iii) the dates of any court appearances;
(iv) a note of any fees paid to counsel; and
(v) the solicitor's profit costs and disbursements;
(d) when money is received from a client in payment of fees or on account of costs or disbursements, the firm shall deliver a receipt to the client;
(e) as soon as practicable, and in any event both before the relevant hearing and not more than 7 days after counsel has been instructed, the firm shall deliver a backsheet or other written instruction to counsel on which shall be endorsed (inter alia)-
(i) the name and personal signature of the solicitor in charge of the matter;
(ii) the name of the firm;
(iii) the name of the case (and the court number if known at the time);
(iv) the name of counsel; and
(v) the agreed fee and any agreed refreshers;
(f) the firm shall only pay a counsel after receipt of a fee note, and payment shall only be made by cheque drawn on the office or client account of the firm;
(g) the firm shall retain copies of all the above documents for not less than 2 years after the completion of the matter.