What’s up
with
Ethics?
Key point 2: How should I answer the paper?!
Quickly read the question and identify the relevant issues. Write
down the relevant Core Duty and its number (“Core Duty [CD] 6
lays out...”). If there are relevant associated rules to that, write that
down after laying out the relevant Core Duties (“In relation to CD
6, the Handbook lays out that...”). After you have done this, go into
what this means practically for the scenario (“Given what the CD
and Handbook say, the next steps the barrister needs to take
are...”).
If you are unsure as to what CDs or rules the question actually
wants, go with your common sense. Ask yourself, logically, what is
the most relevant CD and how does that apply practically in the
given scenario? Do not stop to think for too long; just write down
what your gut tells you if you are unsure. You need to answer
every question to be able to pass and stopping too long to think
will not enable you to do this.
Apart from spotting ethical issues, be on the lookout for
procedural issues as well. You’d be surprised at how much you
can write on in regards to procedure thus gaining significantly
more marks.