This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Lawyers are expected to treat each other fairly, even when they're on opposite sides of a case. If a lawyer knows who represents the other side, they shouldn't try to sneak through a default judgment or get the case dismissed without warning. Instead, they need to check in with the opposing lawyer first and ask if that lawyer still plans to move forward with the case.
This rule exists to stop lawyers from using technical shortcuts to win cases unfairly. For example, if someone misses a deadline to respond to a lawsuit, the other lawyer can't just quietly ask the court to enter a default judgment against them. They're supposed to reach out first and find out what's going on, since there could be a simple explanation like a scheduling mix-up or a brief delay.
For regular people involved in a case, this means your lawyer has some responsibility to communicate with the other side before taking major actions that could hurt your opponent's ability to defend themselves. It's meant to keep the legal process honest and give both sides a fair chance, rather than letting cases get decided by technicalities or missed deadlines alone.
