Rule 221 Determination of whether funds are eligible

Lawyers who handle client money sometimes hold small amounts of cash for a short time, like a retainer or a quick settlement payment. This rule says the lawyer gets to decide, using their own good judgment, whether that money counts as "nominal" (a small amount) or short-term. If the lawyer makes that call honestly and in good faith, they cannot get in trouble for it later, even if someone disagrees with the decision.

In simple terms, this protects lawyers from being accused of misconduct just because they used their best judgment about how to handle small or short-term client funds. As long as they were acting honestly and reasonably, their decision stands, and no one can claim they broke ethics rules over it.