---
title: "Check a draft message against the rule on communicating with another solicitor's client"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/check-a-draft-message-against-the-rule-on-communicating-with-another-sol"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A43-JU20261022-13"
practice_area: "Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check a draft message against the rule on communicating with another solicitor's client

> From the draft and the file, state whether the message is about the subject of the representation and whether the file shows that the recipient is represented by another practitioner.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/check-a-draft-message-against-the-rule-on-communicating-with-another-sol  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the draft and the file, state whether the message is about the subject of the representation and whether the file shows that the recipient is represented by another practitioner. List which exception, if any, the file already records. Do not send the message. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides whether the recipient is known to be represented, whether an exception applies, and whether the message is sent. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Hold the message unless the lawyer finds consent or another exception in the rule.

- What the AI does: From the draft and the file, state whether the message is about the subject of the representation and whether the file shows that the recipient is represented by another practitioner. List which exception, if any, the file already records. Do not send the message.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer decides whether the recipient is known to be represented, whether an exception applies, and whether the message is sent.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. In representing a client, a solicitor must not communicate about the subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another practitioner, unless an exception applies.
2. The exceptions opened in the rule are previous consent of the other practitioner; a belief on reasonable grounds that the circumstances are so urgent that the solicitor must communicate and that the communication would not be unfair to the opponent's client; a communication solely to ask whether the other party is represented and by whom; or notice of the intention to communicate, a failure by the other practitioner to reply after a reasonable time, and a reasonable basis for proceeding.
3. The lawyer decides whether any exception applies. The draft is not sent from the check.

## Notes

- These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Sources

- [Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules 2015 (NSW) r 33](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0244) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/check-a-draft-message-against-the-rule-on-communicating-with-another-sol/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*