Shree. ( Advocate.) 11 March 2008

Can an advocate refuse to appear for a client if his fees are not paid?

A client can refuse to pay an advocate his agreed fees only when the latter defaults or is guilty of misconduct. However, an advocate should not decline to appear for a client who has not paid the whole fee, unless the advocate clearly notifies him in good time of his attitude in this regard.

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6 Replies

Rajendran Nallusamy (Advocate) 12 March 2008

Thanks for the info

Guest (n/a) 12 March 2008

very impressed with the site.

SANJAY DIXIT (Advocate) 17 March 2008

Great relief for Advocates. Thanks Sriram.

Adv. Rishab (Law Student) 18 March 2008

BUT... what i personally think is that an advocate must not refuse to appear for a client , just because of late payment or half payment by the client...
it is against the advocates Morality..
it may look ODD to the practising advocates...
but its only my personal views...

1 Like

ankit (student) 21 March 2008

i agree with you

Sanjay K Jha (Accounts Admin and Human Resources) 17 April 2008

But the question remains there. A lawyer should not refuse to appear if the client has not paid his due. That is ethical. But what course of action should he take to get his amount due. There should be a definite guideline on this issue. I don't know if there is one at this moment.