Peter Chadwick QC and Jeremy Karitzis discuss the practical application Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules for solicitors practising in criminal law. Peter and Jeremy look at some of the common ethical questions and dilemmas confronting those solicitors in the criminal space, including:
- Acting for guilty clients;
- Knowing and managing conflicts of interest; conferring with witnesses;
- Balancing the client’s instructions against the obligation to act independently and forensically;
- The perils of entering into undertakings;
- Knowing the limits to protected witness briefs under the Family Violence Protection Act;
- The consequences of failing to comply with the Rules.