30Integrity of evidence – two witnesses together (ASCR 25)

30 Integrity of evidence – two witnesses together (ASCR 25)

(1)  A solicitor must not confer with, or condone another solicitor conferring with, more than one lay witness (including a party or client) at the same time –

(a) about any issue which there are reasonable grounds for the solicitor to believe may be contentious at a hearing; and

(b) where such conferral could affect evidence to be given by any of those witnesses –

unless the solicitor believes on reasonable grounds that special circumstances require such a conference.

(2)  A solicitor will not have breached subrule (1) by conferring with, or condoning another solicitor conferring with, more than one client about undertakings to a court, admissions or concessions of fact, amendments of pleadings or compromise.