(1) Every solicitor shall at all times keep properly written up in the National or English Language such books and accounts as may be necessary -
(a) to show all his dealings with —
(i) client's money held, received or paid by him; and
(ii) any other money dealt with by him through a client account; and
(b) to distinguish such money held, received or paid by him on account of each separate client and to distinguish such money from other money held, received or paid by him on any other account.
(2) All dealings referred to in paragraph (a) of subrule (1) shall be recorded in —
(i) a client's cash book, or a client's column on the credit side or debit side (as may be appropriate) of a cash book; and
(ii) a separate client’s ledger, or a client’s column on the credit side or debit side (as may be appropriate) of a ledger for each client;
[ins. by P.U.(A)109/2013]
and no other dealings shall be recorded in such client's cash book and ledger, or as the case may be, in such client's column.
(2A) All entries in a client’s ledger must be dated and include references that identify their sources or designation and enable them to be traced backward and forward.
[ins. by P.U.(A)109/2013]
(3) In addition to the books and accounts referred to in subrule (2), every solicitor shall keep a record of all written intimations under subparagraph (v) of paragraph (a) of rule 7 delivered by the solicitor to his clients, which record shall be contained in a bills delivered book or a file of copies of intimations.
(4) Every solicitor shall, within six months of the commencement of these Rules or of his commencing practice on his own account (either alone or in partnership), whichever shall be the later and thereafter not less than once in every succeeding period of six months, cause the balance of his clients' cash book (or clients' column of his cash book) to be reconciled with his client bank statements and shall keep in the cash book or other appropriate place a statement showing the reconciliation.
(5) Every solicitor shall preserve all books, accounts and records kept by him under this rule for at least six years from the date when the file or matter concerned is closed or no further pending business.
[ins. by P.U.(A)109/2013]