IN THE SERVICE OF THE CROWN: ARE ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS DIFFERENT FOR GOVERNMENT COUNSEL?

Abstract

This article examines the traditional assumptions about the application of traditional professional ethical rules to government lawyers. As these rules have been developed largely with the needs of private practitioners and law firms in mind, it is suggested that there is a need to take into account the differences and similarities in the roles of private and government practitioners when the rules are interpreted and applied. Consequently, a contextual approach is useful to consider in coming to grips with ethical challenges faced by government practitioners.