Leading Works in Legal Ethics

This book reviews and evaluates the state of legal ethics scholarship, exploring the diverse philosophical and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the ethics and professional regulation of lawyers. It offers critical insights into foundational texts and commentary on the current state and future directions of legal ethics research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume examines and assesses the state of legal ethics at a pivotal juncture when the global legal profession is undergoing significant transformations and facing numerous challenges. By re-evaluating foundational writings that have shaped the field, it offers a fresh perspective on legal ethics.

Legal ethics, as defined here, encompasses the study of the ethics and professional regulation of lawyers. Over the past half-century, it has emerged as a novel and indispensable field of inquiry, displaying remarkable diversity in its scholarship. Distinct philosophical and interdisciplinary approaches have emerged, complementing and enriching the doctrinal framework of legal practice.

Contributions from esteemed scholars from the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are featured in this collection. These scholars provide not only critical insights into the selected texts but also thought-provoking commentary on the current state of legal ethics scholarship and its potential future trajectories.

In addition to serving as a vital resource for scholars and students delving into legal ethics theory, this volume will also appeal to academics and researchers in legal theory, the philosophy of law, and applied ethics. It offers a multi-faceted examination of legal ethics, shedding light on its historical development, theoretical foundations, and practical implications.

The book is organized into five distinct sections, each dedicated to exploring different aspects of legal ethics. The first section provides an overview of the field, tracing its historical roots and highlighting the key milestones in its development. The second section explores the philosophical foundations of legal ethics, delving into concepts such as moral reasoning, virtue ethics, and deontological ethics. The third section examines the ethical challenges faced by lawyers in various practice areas, such as corporate law, criminal law, and legal aid. The fourth section explores the role of legal ethics in professional regulation and discipline, discussing the mechanisms and institutions that ensure lawyers adhere to ethical standards. The fifth section examines the future of legal ethics, considering emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field.

Overall, this volume serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in legal ethics, providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the field's past, present, and future. It offers insightful perspectives from leading scholars and thought-provoking commentary on the critical issues and challenges facing the legal profession today.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367857882