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Clients & Ethics

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Western Australia 1 client relations legal ethics ethical issues

Commentary on Law and Ethics

Criminal Lawyer Ethics

A common question asked of criminal lawyers is "How do you defend somebody who you think is guilty?". For an interesting discussion on this issue, see the Radio National's the Law Report's 'The Ethics of Criminal Lawyers' interview:

Western Australia 2 client relations legal ethics ethical issues


Dealing With Complaints

Rule No. 1. If a client complains absolutely do not bury your head in the sand, throw bombs back again or despair.

Unless you are determined to turn a query into a formal complaint or Professional Negligence Claim.

Rule No. 2. Do not panic.

It is not the end of the world. Although it may start to seem that way if you don't follow Rule No. 3.

Rule No. 3. Talk to somebody about it.

This will help to get it into perspective and you can start getting help to see if there really is a problem. There may be answers that you have not seen. If there is, then together you can work out what you might do about it.

Talk to Law Mutual if it even potentially involves a professional negligence claim. They are very experienced and will talk to you confidentially.

If you are a member of the Law Society then look at the support that is available to you through LawCare. If you are looking for an independent senior barrister who is sympathetic to the problems of being a practitioner and who has already volunteered to help, then consider the Support for practitioners by the WA Bar

 

Western Australia 3 client relations legal ethics ethical issues