Slow or No Response
A lawyer or limited licensee has a duty to communicate effectively with the client. Expected practices include:
- keeping a client reasonably informed
- answering reasonable requests from a client for information
- responding to a client’s telephone calls
- answering, within a reasonable time, any communication that requires a reply
See section 3.2-1, commentaries [3] and [5] of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Lawyers or the Law Society of Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct for Limited Licensees for more information.
Factors a client should take into account when deciding whether response times are ‘reasonable’ include:
- the urgency of their matter or request, such as if there are upcoming deadlines
- other demands on the lawyer’s or limited licensee’s time that they may need to prioritize – for example, multiple files and holidays.
Lawyers and limited licensees should advise clients if they cannot get back to the client within a reasonable period of time. For example, if the lawyer or limited licensee will be out of office or out of communication for an extended period of time.
If you feel your lawyer or limited licensee is not getting back to you within a reasonable time, you may find a new lawyer or limited licensee or request that your file be reassigned. However, we suggest you first try to communicate your concerns to the lawyer or limited licensee and request an explanation. Click “Discuss with Lawyer or Limited Licensee” below to see more about this option, what to do next, and a sample letter you can use.