11.4 – What is the Result of a Conflict of Interest?

In addition to harming your reputation, engaging in a conflict of interest can:

• Lead to an investigation and regulatory sanction by the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
• In a court or tribunal matter, lead to being removed as the solicitor of record by the court or tribunal.
• Lead to potential civil liability, damages, and other costs for you and your client. If a conflict arises or is discovered well into a solicitor-client relationship, it will cost the client time and money to switch counsel and bring new counsel up-to-speed. You may lose your ability to get paid for your time on the file. If the conflict, and the rectification of such, causes significant prejudice to your client, they may bring a negligence claim against you. Even absent liability, defending such a claim takes time and costs money.