NSW Government Bulletin: Ethical issues for state government lawyers

"Upholding the principles and values of a government lawyer in a time of crisis requires courage and conviction." – The Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC.

"The first, and perhaps the most important thing to be said about ethics is that they cannot be reduced to rules. Ethics are not what the lawyer knows he or she should do: ethics are what the lawyer does. They are not so much learnt as lived." – The Hon Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE.

The ethical responsibilities applicable to public and private sector lawyers are fundamentally the same. However, government lawyers face particular challenges arising from the requirement to perform their role in the public interest, the conflict which can occur between law and policy, and the likelihood of public scrutiny and accountability.