Rule 4.12 Binding Authority

When you hire a lawyer to represent you in a civil case, the court treats your lawyer as having the power to make agreements on your behalf. This means if your lawyer agrees to something with the other side, you will likely be bound by that agreement, even if you did not personally approve it.

Agreements made by lawyers do not have to be in writing to count. If someone can show that an oral agreement was actually made, a court can enforce it just like a written one.

Because of this, it is a good idea to stay in close contact with your lawyer and make sure they know your wishes before any agreements are made. If your lawyer agrees to something you did not want, it can be very hard to undo.