Law Society explores ‘values’

THE LAW Society is holding a series of debating events concerning its ethical values.

Speaking at the first of six sessions, The Lord Chancellor Jack Straw called on law firms to ensure they can “still give effect to the values” of the profession while embracing the changing legal marketplace. He praised the profession for recognising the need to be more effective, efficient and reflective of wider society.

“Solicitors have to consider how best they can still give effect to the values which underpin the profession, but in a way which enables it to meet the demands of the markets in which the profession operate,” he said.

Held in locations around the country from March to May, each event will explore one of the six ethical issues outlined in rule 1 of the new Solicitors’ Code of Conduct: justice and the rule of law; integrity; independence; best interests of the client; standard of service; and public confidence.

Law Society President Andrew Holroyd said: “Three years into our new life as a representative body we at the Law Society are acutely aware of the challenges this new legal landscape poses for the profession.”

The Society has also applied to the European Court of Justice for permission to participate in the case of Akzo Nobel, which is appealing against a recent judgment by the European Court of First Instance (CFI).

In September 2007 the CFI dismissed a complaint brought by Akzo against the European Commission concerning sets of hand-written documents and two emails seized in a 2003 dawn raid. Akzo argued these documents were covered by lawyer-client confidentiality and sought to protect them. However, the CFI ruled the EC was right that communication between companies and their in-house lawyers does not attract the same protection as cases involving external lawyers in EU competition investigations.

Chief executive Des Hudson said: “The Society, and its legal team, have worked closely with a number of in-house solicitors to put together this application very quickly.

“The advice of all solicitors, who are bound by the Society’s high professional standards and disciplinary measures, should be afforded the same level of protection.”