Dealing with clients’ accounts where improper conduct alleged

(1) Where a judge is satisfied, on application made by summons in chambers by any client of an attorney, that there is reasonable cause to believe– (a) that an attorney commits an offence involving fraud or of any improper conduct in relation to the money or property of any person; or (b) that any money entrusted to the attorney has been stolen by his servant or agent, the judge shall cause the Registrar forthwith to inform the attorney of the application and the grounds and require him by summons to attend in chambers before any judge of the court on a date and at a time stated in the summons to be examined 25 concerning the matter and shall the Registrar to summon the person who made the application to appear before the same judge on that date and at that time. (2) If, on inquiry, it appears to the judge that the attorney commits an offence involving fraud or any improper conduct, he may make any order as to the keeping of money held by a banker in any clients’ account of the attorney or any account in the name of the attorney or his firm as he thinks proper, and the order shall be served on the banker and the banker shall comply with the order. (3) Where after inquiry, it appears to the judge that the attorney commits f an offence involving fraud, or an improper conduct, he may make or cause the Registrar to make an application to the Council in respect of the attorney-at-law, and Part III shall apply mutatis mutandis. (4) Where on any application made pursuant to sub-section (3), the Council in any proceedings brought under Part III finds the attorney commits professional misconduct, it may recommend to the Chief Justice that he make an order as to the keeping or distribution of the money standing to the credit of the account as he thinks proper in the circumstances of the case. (5) The Chief Justice shall, upon a recommendation by the Council under sub-section (4), make an order as he thinks proper in the circumstances of the case. (6) Rules of court may prescribe the form and procedure of any application to the court made under this section. 26