This article offers the reader information about the unethical behaviours that can be found in the legal profession.
There are many fields of law that govern modern society and those who work within the legal system are bound by certain ethics, yet the line between ethical and unethical is thin and here are a few examples of unethical behaviour from a lawyer.
Lack Of Fee Transparency
It has been known for legal services to be overpriced; when dealing with a law firm, it is essential that you receive a detailed account of what the fee entails. This kind of activity might be found within corporate law, when thousands of hours are calculated. Some corporations have a person whose job it is to examine legal bills, yet overbilling is not really an issue in litigation or criminal law. Some lawyers work on a ‘now in-no fee’ basis, which suits the client and they assess each case on its own merits and are usually correct in their prediction. There are strict rules regarding legal fees and all law firms sign on to this and should be transparent over their charges.
Conflict Of Interest
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This could be financial, or even family related, when the lawyer has a vested interest. Imagine having to defend a person that harmed your own brother or sister? If an attorney recognises a conflict of interest that might arise, he or she is duty bound to stand down from the case. If, for example, you are searching using the keywords ‘reputable civil litigation attorney near me‘ on Google, you would be presented with a list of links that will lead you to their website. If a person defamed you on social media, which damaged your business reputation, you can file a defamation lawsuit and should the alleged statements prove to be false, you would be awarded compensation.
No Solicitation
It is considered unethical to solicit legal services. An example is the lawyer must wait 45 days before contacting victim family of an air accident, but generally, law firms do not advertise their services directly to potential clients. They are permitted to advertise their services in a general manner, on any digital platform or printed media. If you are in urgent need of a litigation lawyer, Google is your best friend and can hook you up with a law firm that works on litigation.
Legal Malpractice
Lawyers are only human and mistakes can be made. If a client feels that their lawyer made significant errors, they can take legal action. While human error is always a possibility, a lawyer is trained to focus on their work and they have systems in place to check performance.
Whether you are setting up a business or looking to retire, you will need the services of a local law firm and should litigation be on your mind, help is at hand in the form of a law firm that only works on litigation cases. In the unlikely event you are arrested and charged with a criminal offence, it is imperative that you say nothing until you receive legal advice; contacting an emergency criminal lawyer results in quick action, as time is of the essence.