New Course: Ethics Essentials – Lying about a neighbour dispute in a property transaction
The latest addition to our Ethics Essentials training suite, Lying about a neighbour dispute in a property transaction, is now live! Our ethics suite of training for lawyers is a series of bite-sized interactive scenarios based on real-life examples.
This new scenario looks at a situation solicitors night recognise: a friend asks for a quick piece of informal advice, and a well-meant answer turns into something far more serious.
When “Just Play It Down” Becomes Misleading
What happens when a solicitor suggests a friend plays down a neighbour dispute when selling his home? Our latest interactive Ethics Essentials scenario follows James, a partner in a law firm, as a friendly phone call from Alberto, who is selling his house, turns into an offer to help him answer the disputes question on his property information form.
Key takeaways include:
- Honesty and Independence Under the SRA Principles: how the Principles apply to informal advice given to friends and family, outside a formal retainer
- Being Complicit in Misleading Others: why encouraging someone else to give a misleading answer can breach the Code of Conduct, even when you are not the one making the statement
- The Consequences: what can happen to a solicitor who helps keep relevant information from buyers in a property transaction
The new scenario is available as part of our complete course suite of Ethics Essentials e-learning with all 20 scenarios for only £45 plus VAT.
Ensure you and your team understand that a quick favour for a friend still comes with your professional obligations, and how easily “playing it down” can amount to a serious breach of the SRA Principles and Code of Conduct.
