A solicitor who appreciates the weaknesses in a client's case and firmly advises the client to settle on the best available terms is not negligent, even where the client is reluctant. A solicitor is entitled to seek to persuade, but not to coerce, a client to accept settlement advice. The client, not the lawyer, is entitled to make the final decision whether to compromise or litigate. Advice to compromise is not negligent merely because a court subsequently considers that a more favourable outcome would or might have been obtained if the dispute had been litigated to judgment.
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