Mourant

IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025

2 Nov - 7 Nov 2025

Session information

Public servants first and lawyers second? The personal and professional ethical challenges for government and public lawyers

Committee(s)

Forum for Government and Public Lawyers (Lead)

Description

Government and public lawyers are usually subject to the same ethical rules as private practitioners. However, government and public lawyers face conflicting duties, and their obligations as lawyers can clash with their obligations as civil servants. So, there are some unique challenges for government and public lawyers who must navigate their professional obligations, national laws and public sector codes.