289Legal costs cannot be recovered unless bill has been

289 Legal costs cannot be recovered unless bill has been given (1) A law practice must not start a legal proceeding to recover legal costs from a person until at least 30 days after the day the practice has given a bill to the person in accordance with section 290 (Bills) and section 291 (Notification of client’s rights). (2) A court of competent jurisdiction may make an order authorising a law practice to start a legal proceeding against a person sooner if (a) the practice has given a bill to the person in accordance with section 290 and section 291; and (b) the person is about to leave the ACT. (3) A court or tribunal before which any proceeding is brought in contravention of subsection (1) must stay the proceeding on the application of a party, or on its own initiative. (4) This section applies whether or not the legal costs are the subject of a costs agreement. Billing Division 3.2.6