Kingsford Legal Centre Report
1. Kingsford Legal Centre sees a range of clients, many of whom are disadvantaged in some way. What were some of the ethical and/or professional issues and considerations that arose during your interviewing sessions? How were these issues addressed or resolved? How might they be different from working with other types of clients? (350 words)
The first issue that arose was that I had to deal with a distressed female client. She constantly checked her phone and asked for breaks during the interview. I implemented John Barkai’s principle that ‘the primary purpose of active listening is to build rapport with the client’ by listening intently to her description of the background of her case without interrupting her which in turn increased her confidence in my role as a legal assistant. When the solicitor entered the room and asked for further information about her case she repeatedly looked at me for reassurance. My decision to adopt Kay Lauchland’s recommendation that an interviewer should express sensitivity towards their client’s emotional state encouraged her to speak openly about her situation and this made it easier for me to discern the relevant legal issues.
The second main issue was that the …show more content…
The current unequal distribution of legal resources contributes to a systematic restriction on the ability for underprivileged citizens to attain competent advice or representation. Consequently, a lawyer should be aware that engaging in pro bono work empowers individuals from marginalised groups to feel less socially excluded as they become more aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. This can counter the effect of neo-liberalism which Hazel Genn argues facilitates inequality in the production of power and wealth within the legal
1. Kingsford Legal Centre sees a range of clients, many of whom are disadvantaged in some way. What were some of the ethical and/or professional issues and considerations that arose during your interviewing sessions? How were these issues addressed or resolved? How might they be different from working with other types of clients? (350 words)
The first issue that arose was that I had to deal with a distressed female client. She constantly checked her phone and asked for breaks during the interview. I implemented John Barkai’s principle that ‘the primary purpose of active listening is to build rapport with the client’ by listening intently to her description of the background of her case without interrupting her which in turn increased her confidence in my role as a legal assistant. When the solicitor entered the room and asked for further information about her case she repeatedly looked at me for reassurance. My decision to adopt Kay Lauchland’s recommendation that an interviewer should express sensitivity towards their client’s emotional state encouraged her to speak openly about her situation and this made it easier for me to discern the relevant legal issues.
The second main issue was that the …show more content…
The current unequal distribution of legal resources contributes to a systematic restriction on the ability for underprivileged citizens to attain competent advice or representation. Consequently, a lawyer should be aware that engaging in pro bono work empowers individuals from marginalised groups to feel less socially excluded as they become more aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. This can counter the effect of neo-liberalism which Hazel Genn argues facilitates inequality in the production of power and wealth within the legal