In brief - Solicitors should draft retainers carefully and avoid conflict of interest

A recent case before the NSW Supreme Court has shown that determining the scope, content and duration of the fiduciary duty between a solicitor and client depends not just on the terms of the retainer, but on the nature of their relationship as well.

Nature of solicitor-client relationship is significant

It goes without saying that the relationship between solicitors and their clients is a fiduciary one. Determination of the scope, content and duration of the fiduciary duty is not so straightforward. What is often overlooked is that the fiduciary relationship does not arise merely by reason of the status of the relationship; it comes about due to what the solicitor agrees to undertake, or is deemed to have undertaken, on behalf of their client.
 
The significance of this distinction is that the scope, content and duration of the fiduciary duty owed by a solicitor needs to be ascertained by reference to the nature of the relationship between the solicitor and client, not its mere existence. 

Marshall v Prescott an atypical solicitor-client relationship

In the recent case of Marshall v Prescott (No 3) [2013] NSWSC 1949, the court was asked to consider the fiduciary duty owed by a solicitor to a former client. The case also raised questions about the extent to which a solicitor's fiduciary duty survives termination of the retainer. 
 
In addition to confirming the well-established principle that the fiduciary relationship between solicitor and client comes to an end with the termination of the retainer, the court was also required to consider the scope of a fiduciary duty in the context of an atypical solicitor-client relationship. In that regard it provides a useful vehicle to highlight the types of matters that a court will take into account when determining the scope of a solicitor's fiduciary duty.

Beach Petroleum case sheds light on fiduciary principles

The decision in Marshall v Prescott is best understood in the context of the principles set out in the case of Beach Petroleum NL v Abbott Tout Russell Kennedy [1999] NSWCA 408
 
In this case the High Court confirmed that the starting point is that the fiduciary duty does not arise merely due to the status of the relationship (Beach Petroleum at [188]). The fiduciary nature of the solicitor-client relationship arises due to the elements of confidence and influence inherent in the solicitor-client relationship (Beach Petroleum at [189]).
 
The significance of this is that a facet of the solicitor-client relationship which may be considered to be fiduciary in one case may not be considered to be fiduciary in another. 

Fiduciary duty ends on termination of retainer

The extent of the fiduciary obligations owed is ascertained by the nature of the endeavour for which the relationship exists. This inquiry is not limited to the express agreement entered into by the solicitor and client, but also depends on the course of dealing actually pursued (Beach Petroleum at [194]). Until the content and duration of the duty is established, the question of whether there has been a breach of the fiduciary duty cannot be addressed.
 
In relation to a claim brought by a former client, there is no issue of the solicitor having a conflict of interest, as the solicitor has no obligation to advance the interests of a past client. The fiduciary relationship between solicitor and client comes to an end with the termination of the retainer (Beach Petroleum at [205]). 

Duty to preserve confidentiality survives termination of the retainer

The only component of the duty a solicitor owes to a former client that survives termination of the retainer is the duty to preserve the confidentiality of any information provided during the solicitor-client relationship (Beach Petroleum at [205]).
 
The principles set out in Beach Petroleum have been applied and followed in a number of cases in New South Wales.

Solicitor takes co-ordinating role in relation to US litigation

The Marshall v Prescott case involved a somewhat convoluted factual history. 
 
The plaintiff in the proceedings, Margaret Marshall, was the wife of Neil Marshall. Neil Marshall was killed in an aircraft accident. At the time of his death, Mr Marshall was in a relationship with Linda Carruthers, while still being legally married to the plaintiff. The plaintiff and her son were the sole beneficiaries of Mr Marshall's will.
 
Some time after the accident, the defendant solicitor commenced to act for the representatives of some of the people who died in the aircraft accident, including Ms Carruthers. The solicitor contacted the plaintiff to ascertain whether she wished to join in litigation in the United States against companies responsible for the manufacture and installation of the engine in the aircraft. He was referred to other solicitors retained by the plaintiff. 
 
From that time the defendant solicitor played a co-ordinating role on behalf of his own clients and the legal representatives of other families of the victims of the crash in relation to the litigation in the United States.

Solicitor restrained from acting for client

Although the litigation in the United States was met with some success, a dispute arose between the plaintiff and Ms Carruthers as to who was entitled to receive the proceeds of the litigation. This dispute resulted in further litigation in NSW between the plaintiff and Ms Carruthers. The solicitor was restrained in those proceedings from assisting Ms Carruthers.
 
Ultimately, Mrs Marshall obtained consent orders that granted her the entire proceeds of the United States litigation, plus costs on a party/party basis.

Court does not uphold allegations of breach of duties after retainer terminated 

Mrs Marshall then commenced proceedings against the solicitor, seeking to recover the difference between the costs she paid and the amounts recovered from Ms Carruthers. She alleged that the solicitor breached various duties to her that resulted in the NSW litigation. The majority of the allegations against the solicitor related to alleged breaches of duties that occurred after the plaintiff's retainer was terminated.
 
The proceedings against the solicitor in Marshall v Prescott were dismissed by the court. At the outset the court confirmed the well-established principle that the fiduciary relationship between solicitor and client comes to an end with the termination of the retainer, and that the only duty to the former client which survives the termination of the client relationship is a continuing duty to preserve the confidentiality of information imparted during the relationship (at [7] and [109]). 
 
As such, the plaintiff's case could not succeed because it relied upon allegations of breaches of duty which were said to have taken place after termination of the retainer.

Written retainer and relationship underscore scope of fiduciary duty

Of particular interest in the case was the court's analysis of the scope of the fiduciary duty owed by the solicitor/defendant to the plaintiff during the period of the retainer. In determining the content and scope of the fiduciary duty owed, the court looked to the written retainer and the course of dealings between the plaintiff and defendant. 
 
The following matters were considered by the court to be significant in defining the scope of the duty:
  • The defendant was retained in relation to a number of specific matters (at [115])
  • The extent of the defendant's retainer in respect of the United States litigation was that of a co-ordinator; he did not provide advice to the plaintiff in respect of those proceedings (at [120]) 
  • The defendant was retained to act on behalf of a number of different parties (at [115])
  • The plaintiff knew that the defendant was also retained to act for Ms Carruthers (at [115] and [118])
  • The plaintiff placed constraints on the retainer, in particular by ensuring that the defendant was not provided with personal information (at [121])
  • It was understood that other solicitors were acting for the plaintiff in respect of her disputes with Ms Carruthers (at [122])
In light of the matters taken into account by the court, it was found that while the defendant owed a fiduciary duty to the plaintiff prior to termination of the retainer, the scope of the duty was informed by the limited role that he assumed on her behalf (at [124]).
 
The decision in Marshall v Prescott is currently on appeal. It will be interesting to see whether the Court of Appeal will take this opportunity to clarify, or even depart from, the principles set out in Beach Petroleum.

Consider terms of retainer, confidentiality and nature of relationship

While the claim against the defendant solicitor failed, the Marshall v Prescott case provides an important reminder to solicitors of a number of key issues surrounding the solicitor-client relationship.
  • The extent of the fiduciary relationship depends in part on the retainer. The retainer should be carefully drafted to ensure, so far as is possible, that the retainer is in place and clearly defined. 
  • The duty to keep information provided during the life of the solicitor-client relationship confidential survives termination of the retainer. Steps need to be taken to protect any confidential information provided. 
  • It is very unwise (as noted in the judgment) for a solicitor who is retained by multiple clients to act for one of the clients in a dispute between them (at [8]). Even though the only duty that survives termination of the retainer is the duty to maintain confidentiality, it is likely that a solicitor will be injuncted from continuing to act.
This article first appeared in the December 2014 edition of the Law Society Journal.

This is commentary published by Colin Biggers & Paisley for general information purposes only. This should not be relied on as specific advice. You should seek your own legal and other advice for any question, or for any specific situation or proposal, before making any final decision. The content also is subject to change. A person listed may not be admitted as a lawyer in all States and Territories. © Colin Biggers & Paisley, Australia 2024.

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