Act only on proper, lawful instructions client

3.1 You only act for clients on instructions from the client, or from someone properly authorised to provide instructions on their behalf. If you have reason to suspect that the instructions do not represent your client's wishes, you do not act unless you have satisfied yourself that they do.

SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs · 2019 · archived copy · official source ↗

rC21 You must not accept instructions to act in a particular matter if: ... .6 your instructions require you to act other than in accordance with law or with the provisions of this Handbook; rC15.1 you must promote fearlessly and by all proper and lawful means the client's best interests;

BSB Handbook · current · archived copy · official source ↗

shall not act in the following circumstances — (i) if by acting, the attorney-at-law will knowingly assist in or commit a breach of the law, regulations or the rules of professional conduct (including this Code)... the attorney-at-law is not satisfied that the instructions represent the client's wishes and that the client understands the consequences of those instructions

Cayman Islands Legal Services Code of Professional Conduct · 2026 · archived copy

A solicitor must only accept and follow a client's lawful, proper and competent instructions.

Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules · 2015 (June 2026 compilation) · archived copy · official source ↗

A barrister must seek to assist the client to understand the issues in the case and the client's possible rights and obligations, sufficiently to permit the client to give proper instructions, including instructions in connection with any compromise of the case.

Legal Profession Uniform Conduct (Barristers) Rules · 2015 (as amended 14 May 2025) · archived copy · official source ↗

Solicitors are under a duty to exercise their professional skill and judgement when acting on instructions. A solicitor must then advise on whether what is required is proper and legal... A solicitor should take instructions directly from the client. Where instructions are first received from a third party, the instructions should be confirmed directly with the client.

Solicitor's Guide to Professional Conduct (Law Society of Ireland) · 4th ed. (2022) · archived copy · official source ↗

A Barrister must not devise facts which will assist in advancing the client's case and must not draft any pleading, witness statement, affidavit, notice of appeal or any other document containing any statement of fact or contention which is not supported by the client's instructions.

Code of Conduct for the Bar of Ireland · 2024 · archived copy · official source ↗

An Attorney shall not act contrary to the laws of the land, or aid, counsel or assist any man to break those laws. ... [IV(q)] An Attorney shall withdraw forthwith from employment ... (ii) where the client seeks to pursue a course of conduct which is illegal or which will result in deliberately deceiving the Court.

Legal Profession (Canons of Professional Ethics) Rules · 1978 (principal) · archived copy · official source ↗

A member... must not act in the following circumstances: i) if by acting, he or she will knowingly assist in or commit a breach of the law, regulations or the rules of professional conduct... iii) if instructions are given by someone other than the client, or by one person on behalf of others in a joint matter, he or she is unable to obtain confirmation that the client or all of the clients agree with the instructions given.

Law Society of Jersey Code of Conduct · 1 January 2017 · archived copy · official source ↗

[3.2-3 cmt 1] given that an organization depends upon persons to give instructions, the lawyer should ensure that the person giving instructions for the organization is acting within that person's actual or ostensible authority. [3.7-7: a lawyer shall withdraw if ... (b) the client's instructions require the lawyer to act contrary to these rules or by-laws under the Law Society Act.]

Law Society of Ontario — Rules of Professional Conduct · current · archived copy · official source ↗

While the organization or corporation acts and gives instructions through its officers, directors, employees, members, agents or representatives, the lawyer should ensure that it is the interests of the organization that are served and protected. Further, given that an organization depends on persons to give instructions, the lawyer should be satisfied that the person giving instructions for the organization is acting within that person's authority.

Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia (BC Code) · 2017 · archived copy · official source ↗

Subject to the lawyer's overriding duty to the court, a lawyer must obtain and follow a client's instructions on significant decisions in respect of the conduct of litigation. Those instructions should be taken after the client is informed by the lawyer of the nature of the decisions to be made and the consequences of them.

Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 · SR 2008/214 · archived copy · official source ↗

You are the agent of your client and must have the authority of your client for your actings. You must not accept improper instructions

Law Society of Scotland — Practice Rules 2011, Rule B1 (Standards of Conduct) · 2011 · archived copy · official source ↗

A solicitor must not act or continue to act where to do so would involve him in a breach of law or in professional misconduct. ... A solicitor must act within his client's express or implied authority.

Hong Kong Solicitors' Guide to Professional Conduct (Volume 1) · current · archived copy · official source ↗

if the instructions seek to limit the ordinary authority or discretion of a barrister in the conduct of proceedings in Court or to require a barrister to act otherwise than in conformity with the law or with the provisions of this Code;

Code of Conduct of the Bar of the Hong Kong SAR · 2018 · archived copy · official source ↗