A notice of acting is a communication by a solicitor (or advocate) confirming they are instructed to act for a named client in a specific matter, and giving their contact details and authority to receive correspondence and (where applicable) service. It is a descriptive practice term, not generally defined in legislation, but used across civil, criminal, regulatory, tribunal and transactional contexts.Key effects and uses:- Puts opponents, insurers, investigators and authorities on notice not to contact the client directly and to address communications to the representative.- Establishes who is “on the record” for service in ongoing proceedings (subject to the relevant court or tribunal rules).- Triggers access to papers and disclosure, and can frame the scope of the retainer and any undertakings.Jurisdictional notes:- England & Wales and Northern Ireland: for proceedings, formal filings use notice of change/solicitor (e.g. Form N434 in E&W). Outside proceedings, a letter/email notice of acting is standard.- Scotland: similar practice; formal court steps use notice of change of agent/intimation rules, but notice of acting is widely used to other parties and authorities.- Ireland: practice is consistent; in proceedings use notice of change of solicitor under the Rules of the Superior Courts, while in conveyancing and pre-action a notice of acting commonly opens correspondence.