The Law Society today unveils the first iteration of a groundbreaking framework to empower in-house solicitors to tackle ethical challenges they may encounter in their 'unique' role as a trusted legal and business adviser to their employer.

The framework is part of Chancery Lane’s three-year professional ethics project that has become increasingly urgent amid the fallout from the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. It provides the 34,000-plus in-house solicitors working in England and Wales with free tools, resources and templates to navigate ethical challenges in the workplace.

Chancery Lane has been working with the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre at the University of Leeds to develop the framework.

An initial scoping phase mapped out key ethical challenges and potential solutions. For instance, solicitors are increasingly dealing with environmental, social and governance concerns, which are continuing to evolve as public attitudes shift as a result of world events, politics and social movements. 

‘Ethical dilemmas can arise when employers ask in-house solicitors to facilitate activities that, although lawful, may be considered contrary to the public interest,’ the Society said.

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The framework has been designed to complement Solicitors Regulation Authority guidance. The Society said the SRA’s guidance covers specific issues such as identifying the client, internal investigations and legal privilege. The framework will position solicitors in a place ‘where they are better able to meet their regulatory requirements and ethical responsibilities, as well as positively influence their organisation’s ethical culture’.

Team leader Dr Jim Baxter said it was hugely rewarding to speak to in-house solicitors who ‘play a uniquely valuable role which requires an ability to wield influence while maintaining independence’.

Society president Richard Atkinson said: ‘In-house solicitors are in a unique position as both legal and business advisers to their employer. Naturally, this gives rise to competing pressures and ethical dilemmas. Our members have called for more support maintaining professional independence and reinforcing ethical practice. The framework responds to a real need for us as a professional body to enable the in-house community to better understand ethical challenges, practise ethical judgement and meet their regulatory obligations.’

A consultation will open later today.

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