The moving party law firm sought permission to withdraw as counsel of record for the plaintiffs mid-trial due to non-payment of legal fees and an alleged breakdown of the solicitor-client relationship.
The clients opposed the motion, arguing that withdrawal would cause significant prejudice.
The court dismissed the motion, finding that despite a prior consent agreement, the court retained discretion to refuse withdrawal.
The court held that the clients would suffer serious prejudice as it was not feasible for them to self-represent in complex commercial litigation, they had already paid substantial fees, and the law firm held security on the clients' properties.
