Mr. Yi and his daughter, Violet, come to your office to discuss a residential tenancies problem. Violet is the person who phoned to set up the appointment. At the outset of the consultation, Violet explains to you that her father speaks Cantonese, but is not fluent in English, and that she is there to assist him. You neither speak nor understand Cantonese. Violet then explains the situation to you in English. From time to time, Mr. Yi interrupts. Sometimes he asks her a question in Cantonese, and sometimes he speaks directly to you, repeating or clarifying something in English. His English is imperfect, but you can understand what he says. For the most part, however, it is Violet who speaks. She explains that Mr. Yi rents the legal basement apartment in his house to a tenant who has been there for two years. Mr. Yi is a widower and lives alone on the main floor of the house. There is no written tenancy agreement. Mr. Yi never had any problem collecting the rent until two months ago, when the tenant lost her job. Violet says that they want you to commence an application to evict the tenant.

Question for Discussion

What ethical and professional issues arise in this situation?