Topics

Markets, justice and legal ethics

Does it matter who owns law firms? Does the free market produce better legal services for consumers than professional regulation? Are ethics more than just a question of PR?

These are just some of the big questions facing solicitors in the 21st century.

The Law Society believes that the core values of the legal profession are not only our unique selling points, but are critical to a strong economy and society. In order to promote the role of solicitors in the future, we must be prepared to engage with our critics and make our case positively to government, clients and consumers.

Law Society president Andrew Holroyd, explains that:

'With each generation, our profession has always been ready to meet new challenges while remaining true to our core values. In this period of ABSs, global markets and the increasing importance of corporate citizenship we must refresh our thinking once more to present a positive, confident vision for the future of our profession. That is what this campaign is all about.'

Jack Straw: professional values in the spotlight

6 March 2008
The Lord Chancellor last night entered the debate on how the legal profession must continue to adapt to the challenges of the evolving legal services market. Jack Straw spoke at an event launching the Society's initiative to capitalise on the unique competitive advantage of solicitors: their professional values. Mr Straw said that solicitors must consider how best to give effect to the values underpinning the profession, while meeting the demands of the market.
Read Jack Straw's speech
Read the Law Society president's speech
Read a full press release

The debate

Solicitors' core values

The profession's success is underpinned by the shared ethical values in rule one of the Solicitors' Code of Conduct: justice and the rule of law; integrity; independence; best interests of the client; standard of service; and public confidence.

But the Society recognises that a changing legal landscape places a spotlight on these values. We believe an open debate will be an important contribution to not only maintaining, but also strengthening the profession's ethical foundation.

Events

A series of events has been organised to debate the challenges and issues. Each event will put one aspect of rule one under the microscope.
Read more details

Related articles

Back to basics – Gazette article
Law Society's president discusses what professionalism really means in the 21st century to law firms large and small.
Economics and the rule of law - The Economist