SA Can a lawyer with hold information from their client?

[sonay]

This for a friend of mine.. his lawyer said I will charge you $1100 for a guilty and that was before she even asked about the charges. And then she says she has privy information about his magistrate court matter that could damage district Court case if you represent yourself. When he asked what the information was she wouldn't tell him..

Isn't this wrong?

 

[Rod]

I'm not convinced your friend is a client of the lawyer.

Sounds like they are bargaining over the terms of a retainer and the lawyer in this situation is not obliged to give any legal information/advice to someone who is not a client. I'd say it is a matter of pay up to get advice.