[2007] EWCA Crim 2379

Rule 2.01 of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct did not enable a solicitor to refuse to act or cease to act where an order of the court created difficulties for him and made it harder to discharge his professional obligations. Solicitors and counsel who were instructed halfway through a trial and were not given as long a period of adjournment as they sought to familiarise themselves with the case owed a duty to the court to comply with its orders and do their best for the client in the light of those orders.

CA (Crim Div) (Sir Igor Judge (President QB), Pitchers J, Openshaw J)

19/10/2007