In what situation is a paralegal required to notify a client of termination?

A paralegal is required to notify a client of termination when engaged for limited services. This situation arises because limited scope representation, often termed as "unbundled services," involves a specific agreement between the paralegal and the client that outlines the parameters and duration of the services provided. If the paralegal is to cease providing these limited services, it is essential to formally notify the client to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings regarding the status of the representation.

In the context of limited services, notification is vital as it allows the client to understand they may need alternative legal representation for ongoing issues outside the scope of the limited engagement. This aligns with the ethical obligation of paralegals to communicate effectively with clients about their services and legal rights.

In contrast, while completion of services, requests for termination from the client, or the case being lost may involve communications with the client, these situations do not inherently carry the legal obligation for notification as the limited services scenario does. For example, if services are completed, notification may not strictly be necessary unless further action is required. Similarly, when a client requests termination, the paralegal should certainly acknowledge it, but it's already initiated by the client rather than a formal duty to inform them from the par