Philosopher launches survey to help inform ethical practice framework for in-house lawyers

A philosopher in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures has launched a survey to help inform the development of a new ethical practice framework for in-house lawyers.

Dr Jim Baxter, from the IDEA (Inter-disciplinary Ethics Applied) Centre in the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, has invited in-house solicitors to complete the survey as part of a study exploring the ethical issues confronting lawyers in the sector.  

The 15-minute survey is open until 10 May. All information submitted will be anonymised. 

The project, which is being carried out in partnership with the Law Society of England Wales, aims to help the growing number of in-house solicitors navigate the competing pressures and ethical dilemmas that arise as a result of their unique position as both legal advisers and business advisers.  

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said, 

We know ethics is a key topic the profession would like more support on. As part of our professional ethics programme, the Law Society, in partnership with the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre at the University of Leeds, is working on a new resource to support in-house solicitors navigate ethical challenges and we have launched a survey to hear from our in-house members about their day-to-day challenges and ensure this resource is one they can use and trust.

The IDEA Centre is the University of Leeds’ specialist unit for teaching, research, training and consultancy in applied ethics. Its diverse and vibrant community blends in-depth theoretical enquiry and real-world experience to address the most complex ethical issues facing the world today.