Recorded Webinar: The Ethics Of Acting In Your Client's Best Interests – When Have You Gone 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 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, this session will 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 family 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