The ethical obligations that bind solicitors in our duty to the court, and to honesty and professional courtesy, have their roots in medieval England when the first Statute of Westminster enshrined a prohibition against deceit and collusion in the King’s courts. 

Almost 750 years later, it turns out that the rules we now follow, which are designed to strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice, are good for our personal and mental wellbeing as well. 

The interim results of a research study of practitioners from the Uniform Law jurisdictions (NSW, Vic and WA), has found that “Perceptions of a positive ethical climate was associated with higher levels of wellbeing and lower levels of psychological distress”.

In recent years, successive Presidents of the Law Society, including me, have identified the wellbeing of solicitors as a key priority. 

I’m pleased the Law Society of NSW has participated in this research project, informed by a survey we promoted to members through an email back in February. As that email said, the regulators are doing this work “as part of our commitment to improving wellbeing across the legal profession”. 

Other encouraging findings are that a strong majority of respondents believe their workplaces make them feel part of a community where colleagues are helpful to them in fulfilling their job requirements; and that staff feel supported when dealing with family or personal issues. The results indicate there is more to be done to offer staff support when they return to work after time off due to a mental health condition.

I’m looking forward to the final research report, which will provide an evidence base from which we can develop initiatives to foster positive ethical culture, support mental health, and promote wellbeing in the legal profession.

The Law Society continues to play an active role in both the ethics and wellbeing spaces.

Our Ethics Assistance Line (9926 0114) provides practical and confidential guidance to resolve ethical dilemmas. We also provide CPD courses focused on legal ethics throughout the year.

I encourage members to take advantage of our existing wellbeing offerings, including our well-regarded Staying Well in the Law series of events, along with Member Benefits like WHEREFIT.

As always, the Law Society of NSW’s Solicitor Outreach Service provides 24/7 access to a psychologist as well as three free counselling sessions per year.  

Brett McGrath, President, Law Society of NSW