FAQ 20

Q20. I have been asked to act in a case in which the opposing client is known to me from student days. Can I accept?

A20. Similar considerations apply to those above and it would be sensible also to consider the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Skjevesland v Geveran [003.1AllER 1 which sets out some useful guidance on the provisions of paragraph 603(d). The answer will depend very much on the facts of each individual case, but the Court of Appeal made clear that, in that case, the connection between counsel and the individual concerned (a slight acquaintance with the wife of a party many years before) was sufficiently remote for there to be no question of any appearance of prejudice to the administration of justice.