CILEx L3 Professional Ethics for Legal Professionals

Question 1

What body regulates CILEX members?

Accepted Answer

CILEx Regulation (the independent regulatory body for Chartered Legal Executives)

Answer

The Solicitors Regulation Authority

Answer

The Bar Standards Board

Answer

The Legal Services Board

Question 2

What is the principle of 'client confidentiality'?

Accepted Answer

A legal professional must not disclose information relating to a client's matter without the client's consent, subject to limited exceptions

Answer

Legal professionals must share all client information with other parties

Answer

Client information must be disclosed to the court if requested

Answer

Client information is only confidential for 7 years after the end of the retainer

Question 3

What does 'conflict of interest' mean for a legal professional?

Accepted Answer

A situation where a legal professional's personal interests, or their duty to another client, conflict with their duty to act in the client's best interests

Answer

A dispute between a solicitor and their client about fees

Answer

A dispute between two clients about the same legal issue

Answer

A situation where a legal professional disagrees with their client's instructions

Question 4

What is the duty of a legal professional to the 'court'?

Accepted Answer

A duty not to mislead the court, which overrides their duty to their client where the two conflict

Answer

A duty to present the client's case in the best possible light regardless of the truth

Answer

A duty to attend all hearings on behalf of their client

Answer

A duty to share all client information with the court

Question 5

What is the 'cab rank rule' as it applies to barristers?

Accepted Answer

A barrister must accept any brief offered to them in their area of practice at the appropriate fee, and cannot refuse without good reason

Answer

Barristers must travel to court by taxi only

Answer

Barristers must take cases in the order they are received

Answer

Barristers must give priority to legal aid funded cases

Question 6

What is 'money laundering' and what obligations does it create for legal professionals?

Accepted Answer

The process of making illegally obtained money appear legitimate; legal professionals must file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Answer

Any dealing with money from foreign clients

Answer

Receiving cash payments over £1,000 from clients

Answer

Taking instructions from a client to pay a third party