Navigating Ethical Obligations in Disclosure

Navigating Ethical Obligations in Disclosure

Giving full and frank disclosure is a cornerstone of maintaining ethical standards in legal practice. In this seminar, we look at the ethical implications and best practices related to two very different, but equally important, kinds of disclosure: legal cost disclosures and the duty to report the improper conduct of another solicitor. 

This seminar covers:

  • Essential disclosures to clients about legal costs

  • Crafting transparent cost agreements

  • Ethical billing practices

  • The statutory obligation (or lack thereof) requiring a solicitor to report concerns about the professional conduct of another solicitor

  • Considerations for lawyers whistleblowing 

Our experienced speakers will offer in-depth insights and practical guidance to help you enhance your practice's integrity and trustworthiness. 

 

HANNAH VON FORELL

SENIOR ADVISOR
PROXIMITY

Hannah is an experienced lawyer working for Proximity, a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal and commercial services to government. With a background as a federal prosecutor and in-house lawyer in law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, she is specialised in prosecutions, investigations, inquiries, regulatory enforcement, and evidence law.

 

KIM CHAPMAN

CONSULTANT
LEGAL COST CONSULTANTS

Kim has practiced in legal costing with Legalcost since 1987 and has extensive experience across all aspects of legal costing and all Australian jurisdictions. Amongst his many professional accomplishments Kim has advised in relation to the development of the Federal Court Rules 2011 Schedule 3 Scale of Costs as well as Part 2.17, Costs of the Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT). Over his extensive career Kim has appeared in some of the most important costing matters in the ACT jurisdiction and has an unparalleled knowledge of costing law.

 

Details

  • This is an on-demand webinar you can watch at anytime - a link and password will be sent to you when you register. 
  • Cost: Members - $50, Non-members $70
  • CPD: Members will receive 1 point in Core Area 1
  • This event was recorded as part of the Ethics Series on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
  • This recording will expire on 31 December 2024

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

Member Registration $50.00(GST incl.) Register
Non-member Registration $70.00(GST incl.) Register

Related Documents

Schedule

Speakers

Wednesday 2 October

GERALD SANTUCCI

DIRECTOR
SNEDDON HALL & GALLOP

Gerald Santucci leads the Business Law team at Snedden Hall & Gallop and has over 40 years’ experience in commercial law, property and disputes. Gerald leads the firm’s migration practice, where he assists employers and individuals to secure permanent and temporary business, skilled, residential and student visas. He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA). Before his legal career, Gerald served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Australian Army under the national service scheme and worked in the Department of Overseas Trade. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, a diploma from the University of Lyon II, France and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University. Gerald is currently the Chair of the ACT Law Society’s Legal Profession and Ethics Committee.

KATIE BINSTOCK

PARTNER
THOMSON GEER

Katie specialises in succession, elder, regulatory, and administrative law. In succession law, she excels in estate planning, administration, and litigation, crafting comprehensive estate plans and guiding clients through disputes. She navigates elder law matters such as guardianship applications and elder abuse suspicions. In regulatory and administrative law, Katie advises on complaint management, investigations, and appeals, representing clients in Tribunals and Courts. With a commercial and solutions-driven approach, she resolves disputes effectively.

Wednesday 6 November 

JOHN BUXTON

CONSULTANT
THOMSON GEER

John has experience in a range of different areas including administrative law, banking finance, corporate governance, civil litigation and estate planning and disputation. For the past twenty or more years he has had a special interest in professional disciplinary law. He has advised on ethics and professional disciplinary matters for a number of industry and professional groups and their members, most notably the ACT Law Society, who he has represented for many years. John has appeared before tribunals and the courts in this field.

 

LAUREN SMITH

PARTNER
MORAY & AGNEW

Lauren is a partner of Moray & Agnew Lawyers in Canberra. She is an experienced litigator who has worked across numerous business lines for all of the major insurers in the Australian Market. Lauren has a background in statutory insurance lines (workers compensation and compulsory third party claims), but primarily works in the areas of public liability, professional indemnity, and health law. She provides sound advice and strategies to her clients and is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for each matter. Lauren is also a member of the ACT Law Society Professional Ethics Committee having a particular interest in ethics in the legal profession.

 

Wednesday 7 August

ATHOL OPAS

BARRISTER
BLACKBURN CHAMBERS

Athol practices mainly in commercial law and also in general civil law and occupational discipline. Athol was called to the Bar in 2017.  Before being called to the Bar, Athol worked as a solicitor in Canberra for 18 years, working in small and large Canberra firms, in a national law firm, and as a Commonwealth government in-house lawyer. Athol served for several years on the ACT Law Society Council, and was president of the ACT Law Society and a director of the Law Council of Australia. Athol has served on various committees of the ACT Law Society and ACT Bar Association, and he is a current member of the Law Society’s Legal Profession Act and Ethics Committee. Athol has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide in Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution and for Commercial Leasing. 

 

DEBRA PARKER

FOUNDING DIRECTOR
PARKER COLES CURTIS

Debra is a specialist family lawyer and the only lawyer in Canberra with Specialist Accreditation in two areas (family law and dispute resolution). She is a qualified arbitrator and collaborative divorce lawyer, and she is the Chair of the Canberra Collaborative Practice Group. 

 

Wednesday 4 September 

KIM CHAPMAN

CONSULTANT
LEGAL COST CONSULTANTS

Kim has practiced in legal costing with Legalcost since 1987 and has extensive experience across all aspects of legal costing and all Australian jurisdictions. Amongst his many professional accomplishments Kim has advised in relation to the development of the Federal Court Rules 2011 Schedule 3 Scale of Costs as well as Part 2.17, Costs of the Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT). Over his extensive career Kim has appeared in some of the most important costing matters in the ACT jurisdiction and has an unparalleled knowledge of costing law.

 

HANNAH VON FORELL

SENIOR ADVISOR
PROXIMITY

Hannah is an experienced lawyer working for Proximity, a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal and commercial services to government. With a background as a federal prosecutor and in-house lawyer in law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, she is specialised in prosecutions, investigations, inquiries, regulatory enforcement, and evidence law.

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