Lawyers in Australia

The book "Lawyers in Australia" by Ainslie Lamb and John Littrich is a comprehensive examination of the legal profession in Australia, focusing on the role, responsibilities, and ethics of lawyers in contemporary Australian society. Here is a detailed overview of the book, including key themes, plot summary, and critical reception:

Key Themes

1. Role and Responsibilities of Lawyers:

   • The book delves into the various roles and responsibilities of lawyers, including their duties to clients, the court, and the administration of justice.

2. Ethical Framework:

   • It provides a detailed examination of the ethical framework within which the legal profession operates, including discussions on professional responsibility and the concurrent duties owed by legal practitioners.

3. Access to Justice:

   • The book addresses issues related to access to justice, including the cost of legal services, impediments to the utilization of legal services, and the rise of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR).

4. Indigenous Australians and Access to Justice:

   • It includes a thorough and balanced discussion on the complex issues related to access to justice for Indigenous Australians.

5. Legal Profession Uniform Law and Associated Rules:

   • The fourth edition of the book updates the discussion on the Legal Profession Uniform Law and associated rules, as well as legislative regimes in non-participating states and territories.

6. Sociological Context:

   • The book also explores the sociological context of the legal profession, including the make-up of the legal profession in Australia and recent changes in the delivery and regulation of legal education.

Plot Summary

The book is structured into several sections that cover different aspects of the legal profession in Australia. It includes:

• Ethical Context: This section focuses on the ethics, values, and professional responsibility framework within which the legal profession operates.
• Professional Context: It discusses the professional context of the legal profession, including the role and responsibilities of lawyers.
• Sociological Context: This part explores the sociological context of the legal profession, including the make-up of the legal profession and recent changes in legal education.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive and detailed examination of the legal profession in Australia. Here are some key points from the critical reception:

1. Educational Value:

   • The book is highly recommended for undergraduate law students, those teaching into law school programs, and practitioners interested in the role of lawyers in Australian society.

2. Teaching Resource:

   • The book has been a popular text for teaching legal ethics courses since its first edition in 2007. The fourth edition continues to be a useful teaching resource with revised discussion and research questions.

3. Updated Information:

   • The fourth edition incorporates the latest developments in both law and contextual issues, providing detailed coverage of the Legal Profession Uniform Law and associated rules. It also updates statistical information relating to lawyers and the make-up of the legal profession in Australia.

4. Structure and Organization:

   • The new structure of the book, which covers the legal profession in Australia, the ethical context, the professional context, and the sociological context, makes it an interesting and relevant read for academic, student, and practitioner alike.

Overall, "Lawyers in Australia" by Ainslie Lamb and John Littrich is a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the legal profession in Australia, offering a comprehensive and detailed examination of its role, responsibilities, ethics, and sociological context.