Legal Ethics in Victoria

Understand your professional conduct obligations and find support to resolve ethical dilemmas in your practice.

LIV Ethics Guidelines are published with the approval of the LIV Council. Each Guideline is published after rigorous research, drafting and consultation.

LIV Ethics Committee

Find out more about the Ethics Committee, including upcoming meeting dates, and search for specific rulings from the last 10 years.

Conduct Rules & Code of Ethics

Read through the current conduct rules for legal professionals and access previous rules to supplement your research.

About Legal Ethics

Solicitors are officers of the court. A solicitor’s duty to the court and the administration of justice is paramount. A solicitor’s other fundamental duties include acting in the best interests of a client, being honest and courteous, and delivering legal services competently, diligently, and in a timely manner. These duties are set out in the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules 2015.

Need Help with a Legal Ethical Dilemma?

The Ethics and Professional Practice department provides ethics guidance, develops and delivers ethics education (LIVing Ethics workshops and customised in-house ethics seminars), administers the Ethics Committee, produces Ethics Guidelines and administers the Ethics Liaison Group.

The LIV Ethics Guidance Telephone service is staffed by expert ethics lawyers who provide ethical guidance to several thousand legal practitioners each year. Please note: The department does not take calls from or provide guidance to the public.

Ethics Guidance Telephone Service – 03 9607 9336

The Ethics Guidance Telephone Service is staffed from Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Queries can also be sent by email to ethics@liv.asn.au.

Legal Ethics CPD

The LIV is the leading provider of legal ethics education throughout Victoria. Our expert ethics presenters deliver workshops, seminars and online learning videos to more than 4500 lawyers every year. Interactive LIVing Ethics workshops examine real-life scenarios to determine the best practice response across a variety of ethical dilemmas. Available on demand online, LIVing Ethics helps you understand how your obligations can be carried out practically in your day-to-day practice. Online LIVing Ethics are complimentary for practising and new solicitor members, and are available to other LIV member categories at a reduced fee.

Customised in-house ethics seminars can also be arranged and delivered at your firm, ensuring your solicitors work through scenarios that are most relevant to them. More information on how to book an in-house seminar is in our frequently asked questions below.

Upcoming Activities View All Activities

Essential Skills CPD Catch-Up

Need to rectify your CPD for 2016, or want to get a head-start on your compliance requirements for the new year? This interactive half-day seminar is the ideal way to get three compulsory CPD units while also building your practical skills and knowledge of ethical best practice.

Tue 20 Jun - 01:00 PM
LIV Lecture Theatre
470 Bourke St, Melbourne
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Technology Competency and the Practice of Law

Technology has changed how we communicate with clients and one another and has had an impact on virtually every aspect of the practice of law over the past decade. Because of this, technology has brought with it a new understanding by regulators and the courts of what it means to be a competent lawyer.

Mon 19 Jun - 09:00 AM
LIV Lecture Theatre
470 Bourke St, Melbourne
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Practice Management Conference Stream 2

This conference presents an exciting opportunity for lawyers in all stages of their own practice journey to learn the key techniques and information they need to succeed. If you are already established in your own practice and looking for ways to grow, the sessions in Stream 2 are designed for you.

Thu 22 Jun - 08:30 AM
The Events Centre, Collins Square
727 Collins St, Melbourne
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an in-house ethics seminar for my firm?
The Ethics and Professional Practice department offers customised in-house ethics seminars which are suitable for delivery to all sizes of groups. You can arrange a seminar to be held at your firm by emailing ethics@liv.asn.au. Alternatively, please call the department on 03 9607 9336.

Features:
- Seminar run for one hour and count as one compulsory ethics and professional responsibility CPD unit.
- Delivered on-site at your firm for your convenience.
- Tailored and relevant to the specific practice areas of your firm.
- Consists of a detailed and engaging program.
- Delivered by LIV ethics solicitors who are at the forefront of providing complex ethics advice.
Seminars can be tailored so they are relevant to your main practice area. If you have any suggestions or specific requirements, please discuss these together with pricing with the Ethics and Professional Practice department at the time of booking.

Please note that seminars are usually offered to groups of ten or more members. If you have fewer than ten members in your organisation, you may like to join with another firm for a combined seminar.
What is involved in obtaining a rapid ruling from the Ethics Committee?

If you would like to obtain a rapid ruling from the Ethics Committee, please see the Guideline for Ethics Committee Rapid Rulings (PDF) to find out whether you are eligible.
How can I request a rapid ruling from the Ethics Committee?

Fill out and return the Request for Ethics Committee Rapid Ruling Form (PDF).