Ensure that you are able to balance your legal ethical duty to act fairly and consistently with your responsibility to protect the public interest. Gain practical guidance on applying the model litigant obligation, managing risk and making sound decisions when difficult strategic or procedural issues arise. Examine what it requires in day-to-day practice and explore how courts and oversight bodies have responded to alleged breaches. Leave with a clearer understanding of your responsibilities as a government lawyer and the confidence to meet them in practice.
Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
12.00pm to 1.00pm Model Litigant Obligations
- Why is the Model Litigant Obligation essential for government lawyers?
- What is the source of the Obligation and what does it really mean in practice?
- How is it enforced and what are the consequences for breach?
Presented by Elizabeth Forbes, Partner, Clayton Utz
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Presenters
Elizabeth Forbes, Partner, Clayton UtzLiz has advised government for 20 years, as an in-house lawyer within government and serving government clients from the private sector. As a result, she has a thorough working knowledge of the Model Litigant Obligation. Liz is a disputes lawyer who specialises in Inquiries, Royal Commissions, Coronial Inquests, investigations, administrative law, statutory interpretation, complex advisory work, civil litigation, judicial review and information protection (e.g. public interest immunity). Liz is an experienced lawyer who thrives on complex, large and significant matters that make a difference. Both government and private sector organisations benefit from Liz's strategic focus, technical skills and pragmatic approach. With a deep understanding of government, Liz has expertise and experience assisting organisations such as the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Defence and NSW Corrective Services. She has assisted many other Commonwealth, State and Territory Government departments and agencies with their most challenging matters. Liz also advises councils and private sector clients. Liz has worked on a significant number of high-profile inquiries and understands the complex difficulties these can present her clients, particularly government agencies. Liz has been listed in the Best Lawyers in Australia "Ones to Watch" List (Sydney - Government) for 2023 – 2027.
This seminar is part of a series
Ethics Lunchtime Series for Government Lawyers
As government lawyers you face a distinct set of ethical and professional responsibilities that require careful judgement, practical decision-making and a clear understanding of your obligations to the public interest. This three-part series explores some of the most significant ethical issues facing government practitioners today, from identifying who the client is and managing confidentiality, privilege and conflicts of interest, to understanding and applying model litigant obligations and navigating the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence. Through practical guidance, real-world examples and expert insights, you will develop the skills to recognise and respond to ethical challenges, minimise risk, and make confident, defensible decisions in complex situations. Leave with a stronger understanding of your professional responsibilities and a practical framework for maintaining the highest ethical standards in government legal practice.
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD units in Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
View series listing
