Across Australia, most law society CPD requirements stipulate a mandatory CPD point in the category of ‘ethics and professional responsibility’.
Let's take a look at why this particular area of study is so important for continued professional development in the legal profession.
The legal profession is one that holds a position of trust, much like the medical and educational professions. Solicitors are tasked with upholding the highest standards of ethical behaviour to ensure that public confidence in the legal system remains strong.
In a society where the rule of law is in place, those who practice law and uphold its ideals must exemplify its best qualities.
Regular training in ethics and professional responsibility helps ensure that solicitors are consistently reminded of their ethical duties to their clients and how to behave in a way that is professional and ethical within the court system.
Society looks up to legal professionals as bastions of law and order, which is why reinforcing the ethical foundation of the profession is so important.
As important as it is to maintain ethical standards, defining what those standards are is not always clear-cut. Legal ethics continually evolve due to changes in laws, technologies, and societal expectations.
Since ethical standards are subject to substantial change over time, it is critical for solicitors and other legal professionals to stay up to date on the most recent advancements in the industry.
Ongoing education in this area helps ensure that solicitors are more effective at navigating complex ethical dilemmas, so they can avoid not only damaging their own reputations but also protecting the profession as a whole.
Moreover, it ensures that they serve society to the best of their capability.
Legal professionals are in a position where they can fall prey to the temptations of corruption, and proper ethical training can help serve as a preventative measure against professional misconduct.
Without ethical principles and professional responsibilities being continually reinforced, extortion and coercion could run rampant. Proper training equips solicitors to avoid actions that could lead to disciplinary proceedings, damage their reputation, or undermine the societal perception of the legal profession.
Promoting accountability is a way of ensuring that solicitors are familiar with the consequences of unethical behaviour so that it can be avoided.
Here at Legalwise Seminars, we offer a variety of CPD courses on ethics and professional responsibility so you can remain compliant with your relevant Law Society CPD requirements. Contact us today for more information or to sign up for our CPD seminars.