Ethics In and Out of the Court Room

How do barristers act for someone who is guilty? Ethical dilemmas in practice are rarely straightforward. Do they make judgements that affect their ability?

A lecture by Professor Jo Delahunty QC, Gresham Professor of Law 4 October 2018

https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-an...

If you are a barrister you will be asked 'how can you act for someone who is guilty?'. This is just one of the ethical questions the Bar has to confront. Barristers have a Code of Ethics that governs the working relationship with the client, the court and colleagues but ethical dilemmas in practice are rarely straightforward.

Do we make value judgements about our client's culpability? Does that affect how hard we fight their case? Why the answer to those questions should emphatically be 'no'.

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