How to be ethical in the practice of the law: can it be taught?

Time and date: 5:30 - 7:00pm, Monday 20 November 2017

Venue: Ceremonial Court of the Federal Court of Australia, Level 21, Law Courts Building, Queen's Square, Sydney

The Australian Academy of Law extends a warm invitation to all to attend this, the final in a series of three ethics-themed debates held in Sydney this year. The theme of the debates is based on these objects of the Academy—to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional responsibility, to enhance understanding and observance of the rule of law, and to provide a forum for debate and the interchange of views.

 The topic raises an important and fundamental issue. Is there any point in attempting to teach "Ethics" to those who aspire to practise law or to those who are already in practice? Can a person "learn" to be an ethical practitioner? Associated with these questions are others. How can you inculcate good values in a person who does not already have them? Should we teach the common situations posing ethical conundrums that a lawyer might be expected to encounter in practice? To what extent is it about teaching individuals to be ethical versus changing wider cultures and contexts? These and other questions related to the topic will be addressed at the event.

Moderated by the Hon Patricia Bergin SC, former Chief Judge in Equity of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the panel will comprise:

• Professor Lesley Hitchens, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Technology
• Professor Adrian Evans, Professor and Solicitor, Faculty of Law, Monash University
• Arthur Moses SC, Barrister and President of the NSW Bar Association
• Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of The Ethics Centre
• Dr Justine Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales
• Paul Monaghan, Law Society of New South Wales

Please see the attached flyer for further details.