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LJU4802 PORTFOLIO MEMO
SEPTEMBER 2021 UNISA
SUPER SEMESTER
MEMO
,m
MEMO PORTFOLIO
LLB EXAMPACKS AND TUTORIALS
LEGAL PROFESSION
1.1 Discuss the following statement: “Legal ethics can be understood in a wide and anarrow sense.” (5)
The wide sense relates to the general relationship between law and morals and includes the study of the debate between
positivism and natural law and between liberalism and communitarianism. The question here is whether the law can be used to
decide moral issues (abortion) The wide sense relates to narrow sense: ethical standards of professional conduct which applies
in the law. Shows how the lawyer should behave to be a good, decent and proper lawyer. 1
1.2 Explain what a professional code is and list any 3 general aims of a code of legalethics. (5)
A professional code of ethics suggests a compliance of ethical values to provide practitioners with a framework of the
ethical practice of law – codeseeks to:
o Protect the professional nature of legal services by stressing theobligation of professionals to serve
justice and the public
o Correct the imbalance in the relationship between professional and the client
o Maintain public confidence
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o Protect the public against improper conduct or incompetence
o Provide practitioners and newcomers with morally responsible choices
o Ensure fair competition
o Discipline unprofessional behaviour 2
1 Slabbert M Mnyongani FD Professional Ethics Only Study Guide for LJU4802 1st ed. (UNISA Press Pretoria2018) page 1
2 Slabbert M Mnyongani FD Professional Ethics Only Study Guide for LJU4802 1st ed. (UNISA Press Pretoria
2018) page 2
LJU4802 PORTFOLIO MEMO
SEPTEMBER 2021 UNISA
SUPER SEMESTER
MEMO
,m
MEMO PORTFOLIO
LLB EXAMPACKS AND TUTORIALS
LEGAL PROFESSION
1.1 Discuss the following statement: “Legal ethics can be understood in a wide and anarrow sense.” (5)
The wide sense relates to the general relationship between law and morals and includes the study of the debate between
positivism and natural law and between liberalism and communitarianism. The question here is whether the law can be used to
decide moral issues (abortion) The wide sense relates to narrow sense: ethical standards of professional conduct which applies
in the law. Shows how the lawyer should behave to be a good, decent and proper lawyer. 1
1.2 Explain what a professional code is and list any 3 general aims of a code of legalethics. (5)
A professional code of ethics suggests a compliance of ethical values to provide practitioners with a framework of the
ethical practice of law – codeseeks to:
o Protect the professional nature of legal services by stressing theobligation of professionals to serve
justice and the public
o Correct the imbalance in the relationship between professional and the client
o Maintain public confidence
, m
o Protect the public against improper conduct or incompetence
o Provide practitioners and newcomers with morally responsible choices
o Ensure fair competition
o Discipline unprofessional behaviour 2
1 Slabbert M Mnyongani FD Professional Ethics Only Study Guide for LJU4802 1st ed. (UNISA Press Pretoria2018) page 1
2 Slabbert M Mnyongani FD Professional Ethics Only Study Guide for LJU4802 1st ed. (UNISA Press Pretoria
2018) page 2
