R 4.3 - Dealing with Unrepresented Person

Question 1

Shall an attorney state or imply to an unrepresented party that the attorney is disinterested in loyalties or authority in the law?

Answer 1

No.

Question 2

What shall the attorney do when the unrepresented party misunderstands the role of the attorney?

Answer 2

The shall make reasonable efforts to correct the misunderstanding.

Question 3

What kind of legal advice may the attorney give to the unrepresented party?

Answer 3

He may only advice to seek representation.

Question 4

Does this rule prohibit the communication regarding settlement?

Answer 4

No, so long as the attorney explains to the unrepresented party the role of the attorney.

Question 5

What if an attorney-mediator mediates an issue where one of the individuals to the issue is unrepresented and the unrepresented person asks for legal advice?

Answer 5

The attorney-mediator shall state to the unrepresented person that role of the mediator and that the attorney-mediator may not give him legal advice.