According to the SRA Indemnity Insurance Rules, all solicitors in private practice must maintain professional indemnity insurance (PII). If a firm's insurance expires, they enter an extended indemnity period (EIP) of 30 days, during which they can continue to practise while seeking new coverage. If they cannot obtain insurance within these 30 days, they enter a 60-day cessation period where they can only perform work related to existing instructions and cannot accept new clients. Since the court hearing is set to take place within the 30-day EIP, Carter & Associates can represent Sarah at the hearing while they continue to seek new insurance coverage. 

Key Point: During the 30-day extended indemnity period following the expiration of professional indemnity insurance, law firms can continue to practice and fulfill existing client obligations while they secure new coverage.