A lawyer has several obligations to their client, including providing all necessary case-related documents. Here are some key points regarding a lawyer’s obligation to their client:

  • Duty of Communication: A lawyer has a duty to maintain open and effective communication with their client throughout the legal representation. This includes promptly informing the client about any developments in the case and providing relevant documents and information.
  • Access to Information: Clients have the right to access information and documents related to their case. A lawyer should provide all documents such as pleadings, court orders, correspondence, and evidence either in the soft copy format or a hardcopy to the client upon request and not withhold any information at any point in time even though the client may have failed to pay appropriate professional fees.
  • Transparency: A lawyer should be transparent with their client about the status of the case, including any strengths, weaknesses, risks, and potential outcomes. Providing access to case-related documents helps ensure transparency and enables the client to make informed decisions about their legal matter.
  • Confidentiality: While a lawyer is obligated to provide necessary case-related documents to the client, they must also uphold confidentiality and protect privileged information (Lawyer-Client privilege). This means ensuring that documents containing sensitive or confidential information are handled appropriately and shared only with the client or authorised parties.
  • Timeliness: A lawyer should provide documents to the client in a timely manner, taking into account the urgency of the situation and any deadlines or court requirements. Promptly sharing relevant documents allows the client to stay informed and actively participate in their case.
  • Explanation and Guidance: In addition to providing documents, a lawyer should explain the significance of the documents and provide guidance on how they may impact the case. This helps the client understand the legal process and make informed decisions about their case strategy.
  • Record Keeping: A lawyer should maintain accurate records of all case-related documents and correspondence, both for their own records and to provide copies to the client.