The Supreme Court has recently confirmed in Newcastle
upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust v Haywood that in the absence of any express provision in an employment contract, written
notice of termination from an employer does not
take effect until the employee has read it, or had a
reasonable opportunity of doing so...
(d)
Upon termination of representation, a lawyer shall
take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, such as giving
reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred.