Managing Client's Relationship: The 3 Cs Flashcards
What do the ‘three Cs’ stand for?
- Customer due diligence
- Client care letter
- Conflict check
Can you accept a client’s instruction if it means you would be breaching the law?
No
Would you be able to accept your client’s instructions if it leads to a conflict of interest with another client?
Why?
No because you would be breaching CCS
What is Principle 1 of the Codes, in a nutshell?
Act in a way that upholds constitutional principle of law
What is Principle 2 of the Codes, in a nutshell?
Act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in solicitors’ profession
What could providing a ‘competent service’ look like according to CCS 3.2?
Declining providing a client service on a property matter when you are a corporate lawyer
What could providing a ‘timely service’ look like according to CCS 3.2?
Referring a new client to someone else in your team after acknowledging you may be too busy to provide service in a timely manner
How can you ensure you are authorised to act on your client behalf in the scenario of advising a married couple?
Ensuring that you have confirmation in writing from both spouses that they are happy for me to act on their behalf
Are you allowed to act on your clients behalf when receiving instruction from client only?
No - you can act on your client’s behalf if there is someone ‘properly authorised to provide instructions on their behalf’ according to CCS 3.1
Can you decline acting for a client if you believe that the instructions given do not represent the wishes of your client?
No - you cannot act
What does the key SRA Principle and CCS that governs diversity say?
Principle 6 - act in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion
CCS 1.1 - Do not unfairly discriminate by allowing person views to affect personal relationships
What are the names for the two types of conflict of interest?
- Own interest conflict (CCS/CCF 6.1)
- Conflict of Interest (CCS/CCF 6.2)
What are the two exceptions available for acting even where there is a ‘Conflict of Interest’?
- 6.2a Where clients have ‘substantially common interest’
- 6.2b When clients are ‘competing for same objective’
TRUE OR FALSE
Significant risk of a conflict of own interest or conflict of interest is insufficient
False - it is sufficient to pose a conflict of interest
What are some areas that could give rise to ‘conflict of own interest’?
- Financial interest of yours or someone close to you
- A personal or business relationship of yours
- Your role as an employee
- Your won conduct as a firm or individual
What is an example of an ‘own conflict of interest where the interest concerns:
Financial interest of yours or someone close to you?
A client asking you to carry out DD on a company you or your spouse owns shares in
What is an example of an ‘own conflict of interest where the interest concerns:
A personal or business relationship of yours?
You are asked to advise on a claim against a relative of yours, a friend or where you’re involved in a financial or business enterprise
What is an example of an ‘own conflict of interest where the interest concerns:
Your role as an employee?
You are asked for advise in relation to a dispute involving your employer or a fellow employee
What is an example of an ‘own conflict of interest where the interest concerns:
Your own conduct as a firm or individual?
Where wrong advice has been given or acted upon a client’s behalf
What does the SRA Glossary define a ‘conflict of interest’ as?
A situation where your separate duties to act in the best interests of two or more clients in the same or related matter conflict
What does the SRA Glossary define a ‘own conflict of interest’ as?
A situation where your duty to act in the best interests of any clients in the same or related matter conflicts with your own interests related to that or related matter
What is meant by ‘substantially common interest’?
A situation where between clients there is a:
- Clear common purpose
- Strong consensus on how the purpose is to be achieved
What are the three conditions for the satisfaction of substantially common interest and common shared objective according to CCS>CCF 6.2(i)-(iii)… in a nutshell?
i) all clients have given informed consent to you acting
ii) you have put effective safeguards to protect clients CI where appropriate
iii) you are satisfied it is reasonable to act for all clients
Are there exceptions to the rule of not acting where an own conflict of interest arises?
No - you must not act, even if there is a significant risk that you may have an own conflict of interest
What are two examples where the exception of a ‘substantially common interest’ may apply?
- Two people are buying house together
- Two clients instruct you on setting up a business together
What are the two features within the following scenarios that make the substantially common interest applicable?
- Clear common purpose
- Strong consensus on how to purpose will be achieved
Where could the ‘competing for the same objective’ exception apply?
Where two clients are competing to buy a business at an auction
Is carrying out a conflict check a requirement according to the Codes for law firms?
Yes
What are law firms required to do regarding carrying out conflict checks CCF 2.1?
Law firms need to have systems in place to ensure that there are not any conflicts in place at the outset of the instruction
Who should conflict checks be carried out for when taking new instructions?
New and existing clients
What three things must a conflict check search be carried out against?
- Client’s name (and parent/subsidiary companies)
- Client’s company no. (and parent/subsidiary companies)
- Names of counter parties to the matter (check whether your firm is acting for counter parties)
What other things may a firm’s conflict check extend to, in addition to the three things that should be carried out?
- Company’s name and no. of company being bought (in scenario of company being sold)
- Names of directors of clients (incl. directors names of parent/subsidiary company)
- Name of the matter and any target company on these facts
Does the SRA require firms to send out client care letters?
No
What do firms usually do to ensure that they meet the SRA’s requirements in ensuring they set out certain information for clients in writing?
Send out ‘client care letters’
What are three reasons classified as ‘good’ in terminating a client’s retainer?
- Not being able to obtain clear instructions from client
- When acting would break the law or the Codes
- Where client has failed to pay the bills in some circumstances
** TRUE OR FALSE **
Lawyers can terminate their their client’s retainer on the grounds of self interest
False
What time frame do firms usually comply with CCS 8, of providing information transparently in what they will do for their clients in a detailed client letter?
Usually as soon as is practicable after receiving instructions on a new matter
What does CCS 8 require from service providers regarding information on costs?
- Ensure your clients have the best possible information on how their matter will be priced
- Ensure publicity relating to your practice is not misleading
TRUE OR FALSE
It is optional for law firms to have a complaints procedure
False - they must have a complaints procedure according to CCS 8.2
TRUE OR FALSE
Lawyers must inform their clients about their complaints procedure in writing
True
What must solicitors do if their law firm does not resolve a complaint within 8 weeks from the client’s complaint?
They must ensure that the client is informed in writing of their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman and time frame for doing so
To what extent does CCS require legal professionals to inform their clients how their matter will be prices about the likely overall cost of the matter and incurred priced?
To the extent of:
- At the time of engagement
- When appropriate as their matter progresses