Leading lawyers to discuss ethics

A panel discussion about the Mohamed Haneef case and a timely address by Queensland’s first Legal Services Commissioner, John Briton, will be among the features of the upcoming Third International Legal Ethics conference.

Hosted by the TC Beirne School of Law at The University of Queensland and Griffith University’s Law School between July 13-16, the event also includes addresses from high profile speakers including The Honourable Justice Paul de Jersey AC and The Honourable Ian Callinan, AC QC.

Mr Briton will speak on the topic of “Incorporated Legal Practices – Dragging the Regulation of the Legal Profession into the Modern Era”, complementing other conference topics including the intense public interest surrounding the treatment of Dr Haneef and lawyers’ professional responsibilities, as well as presentations by leading judges, lawyers and legal academics from around the world.

“Legal ethics is not about rules and codes of conduct at the end of the day, but values and how they’re shaped by workplace cultures,” Mr Briton said.

“If we're serious about improving the standards of ethical conduct within the legal profession, we'll pay serious attention to the values, attitudes, customs, management systems and supervision practices that nurture and sustain ethical conduct within law firms, or alternatively, leave it to chance or even undermine it.

“This conference has compiled a variety of discussion groups and speakers which will all highlight the importance of ethical behavior in legal practice.”

Designed to cater for both scholars and legal professionals, the conference incorporates a designated practitioners’ day, and is supported by the Queensland Law Society and the Bar Association of Queensland.

CPD points are available for attendees, with registration and further information about the conference available at www.griffith.edu.au/conference/legal-ethics-2008.

Media: Emma Young (07 3346 9350, e.young@law.uq.edu.au)