Consequentialism vs. Non-Consequentialism in Ethics

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THE LEGAL PROFESSION: DUTIES & ETHICS 1. INTRODUCTION 1. Once one has obtained one’s degree in law, has passed either the Bar Vocational Course or the Certificate of Legal Practice and completed the 9 months of pupilage, one will be called to the Bar and be admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya (for East Malaysians, one can also fulfill a further 3 months of pupilage and be called to the High Court of Sabah & Sarawak). One becomes a member of the legal profession and an officer of the court and with this admittance, there are certain duties and ethics which are to be fulfilled. 2. Although these duties and ethics would be approximately the same as in the United Kingdom, there are certain differences as in Malaysia, the legal profession is a fused profession and therefore one may practice as both an Advocate (Barrister) and a Solicitor. 3. The duties which one will owe are as follows: a) Duty to the Court; b) Duty to the Client; c) Duty to one’s opponent; and d) Duty to Society; 4. In terms of ethics, the legal profession in Malaysia is governed by the Legal Profession Act 1976 (“LPA”) and the Legal Profession (Practice & Etiquette) Rules 1978 (“LPR”). The basic ethics would cover, inter alia, the following: a) the duty not to participate in another profession; b) the right of advertising and personal advertising; c) touting; d) costs or profits 2. DUTIES OF A LAWYER A. DUTIES TO THE COURT 1. As an officer of the court, a lawyer owes a higher duty to the court than to the client. This is as the role of the court is to uphold justice and fairness and society seeks its remedies and/or relief from the court based on their belief that the courts are a bastion of truth. Therefore, it is a lawyer’s duty to assist the court in finding the truth and upholding justice.
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