Your back-up in an ethical dilemma
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE | 22 JULY 2024
Your back-up in an ethical dilemma
The ethical obligations to which our entire profession is bound is central to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice. But deciding the right path through an ethical dilemma isn’t always straightforward.
An article by the Law Society’s Professional Support Unit (PSU) in your latest Law Society Journal print edition makes an important observation about ethics in our profession:
Ethical practice is not about never making mistakes, it is about acting in an ethical manner to correct any mistakes.
Lawyers are human, and it’s good to know that when we are faced with an ethics issue, there is another human just a confidential phone call away who can help.
Our 2022-23 Annual Report shows the Ethics Unit received and resolved more than 2,500 questions in that period. The three most frequent issues related to conflicts of interest, client instructions and confidentiality and privilege. But subjects can range to inadvertent disclosures, and what solicitors can do to help colleagues who are struggling.
I’m told by our Ethics Unit the calls they take can be lengthy, as practitioners on the other end can feel emotional, unsure or stressed. After speaking with the very experienced solicitors in our Ethics Unit, the callers are often left feeling much calmer, having a clearer picture on how to handle the issue that’s concerning them.
Those who crew the Ethics line see themselves as part educator, part counsellor. Calls to this line are completely confidential. Solicitors aren’t obliged to identify themselves if they don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Our Ethics Unit is an immensely valuable resource which reinforces our work to maintain public confidence in our profession and provides support and answers to practitioners when they need it most. If you ever find yourself in an ethical dilemma, the Ethics Line is there to help, on (02) 9926 0114.
Reconnecting with Macarthur
There’s nothing like going home. It’s even better when the homecoming is driven by a purpose of engaging with colleagues, getting feedback on how the Law Society can best represent our members, and inspiring young people to pursue a career in the law.
Next month, I’ll be returning to my home turf of the Macarthur region, where I was President of the Macarthur Regional Law Society (2014-2018) and a partner at Marsdens based at Campbelltown.
The first day of the visit will be a day of CPD, covering law practice succession and contingency planning, mental health and wellbeing, the complaints process and more.
We are exceptionally grateful that after a break for networking, the Chief Justice of NSW the Hon Andrew Bell will address a dinner for the local profession, the third such Law Society regional event His Honour has addressed in this bicentennial year of the Supreme Court of NSW. You can register for the CPD and/or the Dinner here.
The following day, the Chief Justice will participate in a return of the Law Society’s outreach program for high school students, Young Justice. This will be the first time this event will be held in a regional area, giving attendees the opportunity to interact with experienced legal professionals and join workshops to develop legal problem-solving skills.
The Law Society is thrilled to be hosted by the School of Law at Western Sydney University, where in one of life’s coincidences, I graduated with my former pre-school classmate and current President of the Macarthur Regional Law Society Anthony Gordon.
If you know of a year 10 or 11 student with an interest in the law, get them to register their interest in Young Justice here.
Brett McGrath, President, Law Society of NSW
