Fitness for Purpose: Mandatory Continuing Legal Ethics Education for Lawyers

(2009) 87 Canadian Bar Review 773

32 Pages Posted: 2 Jun 2012

See all articles by Jocelyn Downie

Jocelyn Downie

Schulich School of Law & Faculty of Medicine

Richard Devlin

Dalhousie University - Schulich School of Law

Date Written: June 1, 2009

Abstract

The authors argue that if we want lawyers to be fit for the purpose of practicing law, and law societies to be fit for the purpose of regulating in the public interest, then it is incumbent upon the Canadian legal profession to adopt programmes of compulsory legal ethics education (CLEE). In support of this argument the authors: provide several reasons why Canadians might be concerned about the ethical fitness of lawyers and law societies; analyse several arguments both in supporting and resisting CLEE; suggest several strategies for overcoming the ethical indolence of the legal profession; and draw inspiration from recent judicial education initiatives in Canada.

Suggested Citation

Downie, Jocelyn and Devlin, Richard, Fitness for Purpose: Mandatory Continuing Legal Ethics Education for Lawyers (June 1, 2009). (2009) 87 Canadian Bar Review 773, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2071914

Jocelyn Downie (Contact Author)

Schulich School of Law & Faculty of Medicine ( email )

Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4H9
Canada

Richard Devlin

Dalhousie University - Schulich School of Law ( email )

6061 University Avenue
6061 University Ave
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4H9
Canada

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