Ethics first for future lawyers

A new handbook authored by Charles Sturt law lecturer Kim Bailey helps law students demystify the intricacies of legal ethics alongside the practicalities of the law.

From precedent to proceedings, lawyers are known for their reliance on textbooks to guide them through the complex legal system. A new book by Charles Sturt law lecturer Kim Bailey promises to demystify the dynamic and challenging world of legal ethics for young lawyers delving into this world for the first time.

Ms Bailey believes ethics need to be taught alongside the realities of legal practice for future lawyers to recognise their unique social responsibility. “The text will complement how I teach, which requires students to take the ethical ‘rules’ and apply those in a contextualised problem-solving approach,” Ms Bailey said.

“We explore how ethical behaviour is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic values, but above all must be guided by the rule of law. The rule of law is what makes our society fair, accountable and free.”

Ms Bailey’s book, Practical Legal Ethics, published by Thomson Reuters, explains the professional conduct rules in Australian legal practice focusing on the Legal Profession Uniform Law regime, which has been adopted by NSW and Victoria and will soon be adopted by Western Australia.