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Recorded Webinars

Recorded Webinar: Acting In Your Client's Best Interests – How Far is Too Far? (Ethics)

The ethical duty to act in the best interests of clients is a paramount principle for lawyers, driving their professional conduct and reputation. However, recent High Court decisions have shed light on the potential consequences when this duty is taken to extremes. This paper delv

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About the Webinar

The ethical duty to act in the best interests of clients is a paramount principle for lawyers, driving their professional conduct and reputation. However, recent High Court decisions have shed light on the potential consequences when this duty is taken to extremes. This paper delves into the intricate ethics surrounding advocating for clients and explores the delicate balance between zealous representation and overstepping ethical boundaries. By examining case examples and their implications, we aim to navigate the nuanced territory where acting in the client's best interests can go too far. This session will examine:

  • Understanding the ethical duty: Exploring the foundational principle of acting in the client's best interests and its significance in legal practice
  • The ethical rules, codes of conduct, and professional standards that provide guidance on maintaining the appropriate balance in advocating for clients
  • Zealous advocacy vs. overzealous representation: Differentiating between appropriate advocacy and behaviour that exceeds ethical limits
  • Framework for lawyers to make sound ethical judgments when faced with challenging situations where the line between zealous advocacy and overstepping exists
  • Examining recent High Court decisions and their lessons for practitioners: spotlight on Thorne v Kennedy and Stubbies v James 2

Presented By

Caroline Hutchinson
AccS(ComLit), Hon Fell (WSU), Principal/Director, Coleman Greig Lawyers Sydney, NSW

Caroline Hutchinson is a Principal at Coleman Greig Lawyers and an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation, who leads the firm’s Commercial Disputes & Employment practice.

Caroline has extensive experience in litigation, and she and her team deal with a wide variety of dispute-related issues for their clients. Utilising her over 30 years of experience, Caroline is well-placed to assist in mitigating the risks involving the effects of litigation on a company’s corporate profile with her keen grasp of commercial realities and comprehensive understanding of the differing legislative requirements across the various Australian states.

She has also built a vast knowledge in managing investigations and disputes for clientele with regulators, including SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Qld and the ACCC on matters of a WHS and consumer law basis.

Caroline is invested in contributing to the legal profession and the local community and regularly presents on dispute-related and professional ethics topics. She is a serving member of 2 committees of the Law Society of NSW - Litigation Law and Practice (since 2016) and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2025). She was conferred an Honorary Fellowship by Western Sydney University (2023) for her commitment to the western Sydney community and in 2025 was a Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Dispute Resolution Partner of the Year Award. She is the Chair of Coleman Greig’s Board.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is suitable for lawyers practising in commercial law- Australia wide.

CPD Information

Lawyers can claim 1 CPD unit - Ethics

WA lawyers – Please note that TEN is unable to verify your completion of recorded webinars to the Legal Practice Board of WA. TEN is an accredited provider.

Enquiries/Assistance

If you need assistance or have an enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact our Webinar Coordinator, Lisa Tran on (03) 8601 7709 or email: [email protected]

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