Ethics Ruling Number
R5028
Area of Law
Family
Category
Conflict of Interest
Ethics Ruling Date
18/07/2024
Ethics Pub Date
18/09/2025
Ethics Background
Law Practice A represent the ex-wife in a family law matter against the ex-husband. The ex-husband is represented by Law Practice B. Law Practice A allege that Law Practice B is conflicted given that a solicitor at Law Practice B is the ex-husband’s cousin, has had interactions with the ex-wife and the couple’s child. Law Practice B contend that there is no conflict of interest as the solicitor does not hold any confidential and sensitive information about the ex-wife.
Ruling
In the opinion of the Ethics Committee and on the information presented: There is no conflict of interest as there has never been a solicitor client relationship between the ex-wife and Law Practice B and Law Practice B can continue to act.

Law Institute of Victoria
Ethics Committee of Law Institute of Victoria Ltd
Legal Ethics Manager
Phone: 03 9607 9336
Email: ethics@liv.asn.au

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