# R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.4: Rule 1.4. Communication. (a) A lawyer shall > Rhode Island · Court rules · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_4 ## Section - **Citation:** R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.4 - **Heading:** Rule 1.4. Communication. (a) A lawyer shall - **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island - **Kind:** Court rules - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Rhode Island Court Rules / Supreme Court / Supreme Court Rules Article V - Rules of Professional Conduct / R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.4 ## Text (1) promptly inform the client of any decision or circumstance with respect to which the client's informed consent, as defined in Rule 1.0(e), is required by these Rules; (2) reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client's objectives are to be accomplished; (3) keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter; (4) promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and (5) consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer's conduct when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not permitted by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law. (b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation. (c) When a lawyer has not regularly represented a client and has reason to believe that the client does not fully understand the nature of the attorney-client relationship and the expectations and obligations arising out of that relationship, the lawyer shall take reasonable steps to inform the client of the nature of the attorney-client relationship before the representation is undertaken. Such disclosure should include what the lawyer expects of the client and what the client can expect from the lawyer. A lawyer may make such disclosure by providing the client with a copy of the statement of client's rights and responsibilities contained in Appendix 2 to these rules, or in any other manner sufficient to provide the client with a clear understanding of what services will be rendered by the lawyer and what the client's responsibilities are in order that the services can be performed effectively. COMMENTARY ke such disclosure by providing the client with a copy of the statement of client's rights and responsibilities contained in Appendix 2 to these rules, or in any other manner sufficient to provide the client with a clear understanding of what services will be rendered by the lawyer and what the client's responsibilities are in order that the services can be performed effectively. COMMENTARY [1] Reasonable communication between the lawyer and the client is necessary for the client effectively to participate in the representation. In order to promote good communication between attorney and client and thus to promote more effective representation, the client should have an understanding of the nature of the attorney- client relationship, including what the lawyer expects of the client and what the client can expect from the lawyer. When a lawyer considers representing a potential new client, the lawyer should determine whether the client has a full understanding of the nature of the attorney-client relationship and, if the lawyer believes that the client does not, the lawyer shall take reasonable steps to provide the client with such an understanding before the representation is undertaken. One manner of providing such information to the client is by providing the client with a copy of the Client's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities included in Appendix 2 to these rules. Communicating with Client if the lawyer believes that the client does not, the lawyer shall take reasonable steps to provide the client with such an understanding before the representation is undertaken. One manner of providing such information to the client is by providing the client with a copy of the Client's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities included in Appendix 2 to these rules. Communicating with Client [2] If these Rules require that a particular decision about the representation be made by the client, paragraph (a)(1) requires that the lawyer promptly consult with and secure the client's consent prior to taking action unless prior discussions with the client have resolved what action the client wants the lawyer to take. For example, a lawyer who receives from opposing counsel an offer of settlement in a civil controversy or a proffered plea bargain in a criminal case must promptly inform the client of its substance unless the client has previously indicated that the proposal will be acceptable or unacceptable or has authorized the lawyer to accept or to reject the offer. See Rule 1.2(a). [3] Paragraph (a)(2) requires the lawyer to reasonably consult with the client about the means to be used to accomplish the client's objectives. In some situations - depending on both the importance of the action under consideration and the feasibility of consulting with the client - this duty will require consultation prior to taking action. In other circumstances, such as during a trial when an immediate decision must be made, the exigency of the situation may require the lawyer to act without prior consultation. In such cases the lawyer must nonetheless act reasonably to inform the client of actions the lawyer has taken on the client's behalf. Additionally, paragraph (a)(3) requires that the lawyer keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, such as significant developments affecting the timing or the substance of the representation he lawyer to act without prior consultation. In such cases the lawyer must nonetheless act reasonably to inform the client of actions the lawyer has taken on the client's behalf. Additionally, paragraph (a)(3) requires that the lawyer keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, such as significant developments affecting the timing or the substance of the representation. [4] A lawyer's regular communication with clients will minimize the occasions on which a client will need to request information concerning the representation. When a client makes a reasonable request for information, however, paragraph (a)(4) requires prompt compliance with the request, or if a prompt response is not feasible, that the lawyer, or a member of the lawyer's staff, acknowledge receipt of the request and advise the client when a response maybe expected. Client communications should be promptly returned or acknowledged. Explaining Matters [5] The client should have sufficient information to participate intelligently in decisions concerning the objectives of the representation and the means by which they are to be pursued, to the extent the client is willing and able to do so. For example, a lawyer negotiating on behalf of a client should provide the client with facts relevant to the matter, inform the client of communications from another party and take other reasonable steps that permit the client to make a decision regarding a serious offer from another party. A lawyer who receives from opposing counsel an offer of settlement in a civil controversy or a proffered plea bargain in a criminal case should promptly inform the client of its substance unless prior discussions with the client have left it clear that the proposal will be unacceptable. See Rule 1.2(a). Even when a client delegates authority to the lawyer, the client should be kept advised of the status of the matter. Adequacy of communication depends in part on the kind of advice or assistance that is involved a criminal case should promptly inform the client of its substance unless prior discussions with the client have left it clear that the proposal will be unacceptable. See Rule 1.2(a). Even when a client delegates authority to the lawyer, the client should be kept advised of the status of the matter. Adequacy of communication depends in part on the kind of advice or assistance that is involved. For example, when there is time to explain a proposal made in a negotiation, the lawyer should review all important provisions with the client before proceeding to an agreement. In litigation a lawyer should explain the general strategy and prospects of success and ordinarily should consult the client on tactics that are likely to result in significant expense or to injure or coerce others. On the other hand, a lawyer ordinarily will not be expected to describe trial or negotiation strategy in detail. The guiding principle is that the lawyer should fulfill reasonable client expectations for information consistent with the duty to act in the client's best interests, and the client's overall requirements as to the character of representation. In certain circumstances, such as when a lawyer asks a client to consent to a representation affected by a conflict of interest, the client must give informed consent, as defined in Rule 1.0(e). [6] Ordinarily, the information to be provided is that appropriate for a client who is a comprehending and responsible adult. However, fully informing the client according to this standard may be impracticable, for example, where the client is a child or suffers from diminished capacity. See Rule 1.14. When the client is an organization or group, it is often impossible or inappropriate to inform every one of its members about its legal affairs; ordinarily, the lawyer should address communications to the appropriate officials of the organization. See Rule 1.13. to this standard may be impracticable, for example, where the client is a child or suffers from diminished capacity. See Rule 1.14. When the client is an organization or group, it is often impossible or inappropriate to inform every one of its members about its legal affairs; ordinarily, the lawyer should address communications to the appropriate officials of the organization. See Rule 1.13. Where many routine matters are involved, a system of limited or occasional reporting may be arranged with the client. Withholding Information [7] In some circumstances, a lawyer may be justified in delaying transmission of information when the client would be likely to react imprudently to an immediate communication. Thus, a lawyer might withhold a psychiatric diagnosis of a client when the examining psychiatrist indicates that disclosure would harm the client. A lawyer may not withhold information to serve the lawyer's own interest or convenience or the interests or convenience of another person. Rules or court orders governing litigation may provide that information supplied to a lawyer may not be disclosed to the client. Rule 3.4(c) directs compliance with such rules or orders. ## Nearby sections - [R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.0 Rule 1.0. Terminology. (a) "Belief" or "believes" denotes that the person involved](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_0.md) - [R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.1 Rule 1.1. Competence. A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_1.md) - [R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.2 Rule 1.2. (d)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_2.md) - [R.I. Sup. Ct. art. V, R. 1.3 Rule 1.3. Diligence. 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(a) A lawyer employed or retained by an](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_13.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_RI_SCTART5_R1_4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.