Book contents
- The Good Chinese Lawyer
- The Good Chinese Lawyer
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Good Legal Education
- 2 The Law Practice Landscape of Greater China
- 3 Values, Ethics and Virtue in Lawyering
- 4 Connecting Character to Lawyers’ Roles
- 5 Truth and Deception
- 6 Professional Secrets
- 7 Conflicts of Loyalty and Interest
- 8 The Morality of Competence
- 9 Practical Wisdom for Lawyers
- Appendix Safety Nets for Lawyers
- Index
8 - The Morality of Competence
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 March 2023
- The Good Chinese Lawyer
- The Good Chinese Lawyer
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Good Legal Education
- 2 The Law Practice Landscape of Greater China
- 3 Values, Ethics and Virtue in Lawyering
- 4 Connecting Character to Lawyers’ Roles
- 5 Truth and Deception
- 6 Professional Secrets
- 7 Conflicts of Loyalty and Interest
- 8 The Morality of Competence
- 9 Practical Wisdom for Lawyers
- Appendix Safety Nets for Lawyers
- Index
Summary
‘Negligence’ is frightening to think about, but accepting the possibility of making mistakes as lawyers does not mean we ought to give up on a desire to perform to the best of our ability, and at the peak of our moral consciousness. This chapter applies morality to our technical competence. In the hothouse atmosphere of competitive law firms, the underlying conflict between commercialism and professionalism leads to moral as well as financial risk. Only true professionalism – which emphasizes the dual virtues of integrity and competence – will sustainably support your future. Too much concentration on the business of law and profit can and does lead to the temptation to ‘borrow’ clients’ money and to carelessness. There are extensive conduct and accounting rules that focus on accounting honestly for clients’ money, especially for lawyers who practise across international borders, and we should back that up by arranging professional indemnity (malpractice) insurance against any negligence. In addition, risk management, continuing legal education and specialist accreditation courses are all available through the internet to support you, even if not available through a bar association
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- The Good Chinese LawyerA Student Guide to Law and Ethics, pp. 254 - 275Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023