The fourth edition of this respected textbook examines the regulation and conduct of lawyers in England and Wales and addresses new developments in the field, including those in international practice, sexual misconduct, and the environment. Focusing on the practice of, and interrelationship between, solicitors and barristers, the book provides background to current arrangements while exploring contemporary rules of conduct, systems of regulation, and controversies. The four main parts cover client duties, wider obligations, key contexts, and regulation. Parts one to three provide an academic introduction to the subject of lawyers' ethics. They are suitable as a core text for a semester course at undergraduate level, providing grounding for vocational training, such as the Solicitors' Qualifying Examination. Comparisons are made with conduct rules applying in other leading common law jurisdictions where relevant. These parts also explore links between the subject of ethics and the development of lawyers' practical skills. Part four applies the general principles to three elements of regulation: practice, admission, and discipline. The approach throughout is socio-legal. While the essential law is described, relevant social science research informs consideration of issues and debates.

Written by experienced practitioners, Professional Ethics equips the reader with a solid understanding of the key ethical and professional conduct issues which underpin all types of practice at the Bar. Including full discussion of the letter and spirit of the Code of Conduct issued by the Bar Standards Board, the manual provides full coverage of the professional conduct principles which govern the working relationships of the barrister with the client, prosecution or defence counsel, the courts and other members of the legal profession. The manual also features a dedicated chapter which identifies the key principles of professional conduct applicable to the core skills of the barrister ensuring that the reader is fully able to uphold the high professional standards of the Bar across all areas of practice. Potentially problematic areas of practice are identified throughout, and practical guidance is given on the correct approach to follow in such situations should they be encountered in practice. The manual also features a number of exercises designed to encourage the reader to consider how professional conduct principles apply to realistic scenarios. For ease of reference, relevant extracts from the Code of Conduct for barristers and a selection of some of most useful guidance from the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board is provided at the end of the manual. Professional Ethics is essential reading for all trainee barristers, and is a useful source of reference for practitioners seeking to refresh their knowledge of the rules and principles of professional conduct which govern practice at the Bar. Digital formats This edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats. The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

Professional Ethics provides an excellent introduction to the fundamental rules and principles of professional conduct and ethical considerations essential to maintaining the high professional standards of the practising Bar. For ease of reference, the Code of Conduct is included in the manual in full.

This book examines lawyers' contributions to creating and maintaining the rule of law, one of the pillars of a liberal democracy. It moves from the European Enlightenment to the modern day, exploring the role of judges, government lawyers, and private practitioners in creating, defining, and being defined by, the demands of modern society. The book is divided into 4 parts representing the big themes. The first part considers lawyers' contribution to the growth of constitutionalism, the second, the formulation of roles and identities, and the third the formation of values. The fourth part focuses on the challenges faced by lawyers and the rule of law in the past 50 years, the neoliberal period, and how they challenge both conceptions of lawyers and the rule of law. Each part is illustrated by defining events, from the execution of Charles I, through the Nuremberg Trials, to the insurrection by supporters of Donald Trump in January 2021. Although the focus is on England and Wales, parallel developments in other jurisdictions, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA, are considered. This allows analysis of lawyers' historical and contemporary engagement with the rule of law in jurisdictional systems based on the Common Law. Each chapter is thematic, but the passage through the book is broadly chronological.

This book discusses the teaching of ‘legal ethics’, arguing that the current formal rules governing lawyers are inadequate, as true engagement with ethical issues requires lawyers to exercise judgment, and therefore there is a need to rethink the aims, scope and methodology of ‘legal ethics education. The volume presents the views of a number of internationally renowned legal ethicists, including Brent Cotter and David Chavkin, exploring and questioning the teaching of legal ethics. The contributions examine legal ethics teaching in a range of jurisdictions including the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. A number of contributors discuss design issues that cover a broad field of methods, including simulations, the pervasive use of problem-solving exercises, and real-world experiences, with some of the essays revealing their empirical findings on the effectiveness of these methods and particularly as they affect the students.

How does the English legal system work? How does it affect everyday life? How well does it achieve its aims? Addressing these questions and more, English Legal System provides students with the fundamental knowledge they need to approach the subject with confidence. Packed with questions, case studies and examples, this book takes students on a journey, inviting them to read, understand, see the law in practice, and then think for themselves. The strongest foundation for students at the start of their study of law; this is a clear, complete, and contextualized account of the English legal system and an essential guide. Online resources English Legal System is supported by extensive online resources, featuring the following: For students: - Self-test questions to check understanding and progress - Multiple-choice questions to test the application of knowledge - Web links to aid reading around the topics - Video material to bring topics to life - A guide to reading cases to help build this key legal skill For lecturers: - Diagrams from the book for use in presentations