Public Interest and Privilege in the Relationship between Lawyers and Clients

The adversarial nature of the administration of justice has of necessity engrafted the lawyer as an important participant in it. The lawyer is like a sphinx-a mysterious phenomenon with a woman’s head and a lion’s body. As “an officer of the Court”, the lawyer is expected to present the client’s case before a Judge in the innocence, elegance and forthrightness of a woman.  He is to assist the court in ensuring that justice is done by not withholding any admissible evidence or applicable enactment or precedent. In presenting the facts and law, he must deliberately promote all methods and secure all compliances that would accelerate the hearing and determination of the case before the court.

However, the lawyer in addition to this public duty also owes a “private duty” to his client ‘to devote his attention, energy and expertise to the service of his client and, subject to any rule of law, to act in a manner consistent with the best interest of the client’

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  • Name
    Public Interest and Privilege in the Relationship between Lawyers and Clients
  • Date
    21 Feb 2019
  • Category
    Resources & Publications
  • Author
    Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde SAN