LEGAL ETHICS FOR SASKATCHEWAN LAWYERS
The 2012 Code of Professional Conduct “In Context”
OUTLINE:
1
Objectives for the Session
a. A Framework for Ethics
b. Key Ethical Principles from Jurisprudence and Codes, old and new
c. The new Code provisions “in context”
2
The Traditional Conception of the Lawyer’s Role and Legal Ethics
a. Queen Caroline’s Case and Lord Brougham
b. R. v. Neil, citing Queen Caroline’s Case
c. Codes of Professional Conduct
3
The Non-Intuitive Nature of Legal Ethics
a. Drafting a Will - scenario
b. Disclosure of Binding Adverse Authority
4
The Commencement of the Lawyer-Client Relationship
a. The Former Code Provision
b. Descoteaux v. Mierzwinski
c. The NEW Code Provision
d. Duties Owed by the Lawyer to the Client
i. Loyalty
ii. Integrity
iii. Competence & Quality of Service
iv. Honesty & Candour
v. Confidentiality
5
Confidentiality and Privilege
a. The Central Nature of the Duty of Confidentiality
b. Differences between Confidentiality and Privilege
c. Trends in the Duties of Confidentiality and Privilege
d. Relevant Code Provisions
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct – Training Session – 2012
Instructor: Brent Cotter, Q.C.
e. Exceptions
i. Innocence at Stake
a. R. v. McClure
ii. Crime/Fraud
iii. Legislative Exceptions
a. Descôteaux v. Mierzwinski
b. Goodis v. Ontario (Ministry of Correctional Services)
c. Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Merchant
d. Federation of Law Societies of Canada v. Canada (Attorney General)
iv. Real Evidence
a. R. v. Murray
v. Future Harm/Public Safety
a. Smith v. Jones
b. “Future Harm” and the Code – scenario and discussion
6
Conflicts of Interest
a. Client-Client Conflicts
i.
The Supreme Court Trilogy
ii.
SK Code - Current Client Conflicts
iii.
SK Code – Former Client Conflicts
iv.
SK Code – Joint Representation, etc.
v.
SK Code - Consent
vi.
Recent Saskatchewan Cases
b. Lawyer-Client Conflicts
i.
Financial and Business Relationships
ii.
Personal Relationships
7
Termination of the Lawyer-Client Relationship
a. SK Code Provisions
b. R. v. Cunningham
8
Other Duties Owed by Lawyers
a. Duties Owed to the Court
b. Duties Owed to Other Lawyers
c. Duties Owed to the Administration of Justice
9
Ancillary Provisions
10 An Ethical Dilemma – video and discussion
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct – Training Session – 2012
Instructor: Brent Cotter, Q.C.
11 Trends in the Legal Profession (time permitting)
a. The Role of the Federation of Law Societies and Governance Developments
i. Model Code
ii. Entry Standards
a. FLSC Task Force on Legal Education
b. Admission Standards
iii. Discipline
iv. NCA
v. Active engagement in ‘legal profession’ litigation
b. Challenges to Self-Regulation
c. Lawyer Discipline – Process, Jurisprudence, Sanctions, ’Negligence’
d. Trends toward National and International Practice
e. Trends toward Interdisciplinary Practices
f. Access to Justice – Cost, Pro Bono, Limited Scope Representation, etc.
g. Demography
h. The Role of Non-Lawyers
i. Trends Toward Non-Lawyer Ownership of Law Firms
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Saskatchewan Code of Professional Conduct – Training Session – 2012
Instructor: Brent Cotter, Q.C.