Legal Ethics & Discipline Course

The Legal Ethics & Discipline Course at GB Law School and Research Center is designed to provide students and legal practitioners with a deep understanding of the ethical responsibilities and professional conduct expected in the legal profession. This course covers the principles of legal ethics, the role of discipline in maintaining the integrity of the profession, and the consequences of unethical behavior. Through case studies and practical scenarios, participants will learn how to navigate complex ethical dilemmas while adhering to the highest standards of legal practice.

Course Fee Structure

  • Regular Courses

    • Standard Fee: PKR 90,000
    • Discounted Fee: PKR 45,000 (after a 50% discount)
  • 3-Month Courses

    • Monthly Fee: PKR 15,000

For more details and course enrollment, please get in touch with our admissions team.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for:

  • Law students preparing for legal practice.
  • Legal professionals seeking to refresh or update their knowledge of legal ethics.
  • Paralegals, legal assistants, and other legal staff involved in client interactions and case management.
  • Lawyers looking to avoid disciplinary issues and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Start your journey to the Bar with GB Law School and Legal Research Center.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of legal ethics, including confidentiality, competence, and conflict of interest.
  • Learn how to apply ethical principles to real-world legal practice.
  • Recognize the professional responsibilities of lawyers in different areas of legal practice.
  • Develop the ability to handle ethical dilemmas through critical thinking and decision-making.
  • Gain insights into the disciplinary processes and potential consequences of unethical behavior.
  • Learn about the role of regulatory bodies in enforcing legal discipline and upholding professional integrity.

Month 1: Foundations of Legal Ethics

Week 1

Introduction to Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility

  • Core principles: integrity, confidentiality, conflict of interest
  • Difference between ethics, morality, and law
  • Bar Council Rules & IBA Guidelines

Week 2

Attorney-Client Relationship

  • Duties to clients: competence, diligence, communication
  • Client confidentiality: attorney-client privilege
  • Handling difficult clients & withdrawal from representation

Week 3

Conflict of Interest & Fiduciary Duties

  • Identifying & managing conflicts: current vs. former clients
  • Multi-party representation risks
  • Self-dealing & financial ethics

Week 4

Fees & Financial Ethics

  • Fee agreements: retainer vs. contingency fees
  • Preventing overbilling & financial misconduct
  • Handling client funds: trust accounts, misappropriation

Month 2: Ethics in Practice Areas

Week 5

Litigation Ethics

  • Duty of candor to the court: no misleading arguments
  • Ex parte communications with judges
  • Ethical limits of advocacy: frivolous litigation, perjury

Week 6

Corporate & Transactional Ethics

  • Whistleblowing & corporate fraud reporting
  • Insider trading & compliance obligations
  • Drafting ethical clauses in contracts

Week 7

Ethics in Criminal Defense & Prosecution

  • Defending guilty clients: zealous advocacy vs. truth
  • Prosecutorial misconduct: suppressing evidence, Brady rule
  • Plea bargaining ethics

Week 8

Technology & Legal Ethics

  • AI & confidentiality risks
  • Social media ethics for lawyers
  • E-discovery & data privacy obligations

Month 3: Discipline, Accountability & Practical Application

Week 9

Disciplinary Proceedings & Professional Misconduct

  • Bar Council disciplinary process
  • Common ethical violations: negligence, fraud, contempt
  • Case studies on disbarment & suspension

Week 10

Ethics in Judicial Conduct

  • Judicial bias & recusal standards
  • Ex parte orders & abuse of power
  • Judicial accountability mechanisms

Week 11

Global Legal Ethics (Comparative Perspectives)

  • ABA Model Rules vs. Indian Standards
  • International arbitration ethics
  • Cross-border practice challenges

Week 12

Capstone Project & Assessment

  • Ethical dilemma simulations: role-playing exercises
  • Drafting a compliance policy for a law firm
  • Final written exam: case-based questions

Week 9

Introduction to Legal Tech & Its Impact

  • Evolution of legal technology (from databases to AI)
  • Key trends: AI, blockchain, smart contracts, ODR
  • Ethical considerations (data privacy, bias in AI)

Week 10

Legal Research 2.0 – AI & Advanced Tools

  • Westlaw Edge, Lexis+, Casetext CARA
  • AI legal assistants (Harvey, ChatGPT for Law)
  • Free & open-access legal research tools

Week 11

Case & Practice Management Software

  • Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther (comparative analysis)
  • Automating client intake & billing
  • Integrating calendars, deadlines & task management

Week 12

Document Automation & Contract Tech

  • HotDocs, Documate, Lexion
  • AI-powered contract review (Kira, Evisort)
  • Smart contract drafting (for blockchain transactions)

Course Modules

Month 1 : Foundations of Legal Technology

Week 1

Introduction to Legal Tech & Its Impact

  • Evolution of legal technology (from databases to AI)
  • Key trends: AI, blockchain, smart contracts, ODR
  • Ethical considerations (data privacy, bias in AI)

Week 2

Legal Research 2.0 – AI & Advanced Tools

  • Westlaw Edge, Lexis+, Casetext CARA
  • AI legal assistants (Harvey, ChatGPT for Law)
  • Free & open-access legal research tools

Week 3

Case & Practice Management Software

  • Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther (comparative analysis)
  • Automating client intake & billing
  • Integrating calendars, deadlines & task management

Week 4

Document Automation & Contract Tech

  • HotDocs, Documate, Lexion
  • AI-powered contract review (Kira, Evisort)
  • Smart contract drafting (for blockchain transactions)

Month 2: Litigation & Compliance Technology

Week 5

E-Discovery & Digital Evidence

  • eDiscovery platforms: Relativity, Everlaw, Logikcull
  • Managing metadata & ESI (electronically stored information)
  • AI in predictive coding for document review

Week 6

Digital Litigation & Virtual Courts

  • E-filing systems: PACER, Odyssey, Pakistan’s e-Courts
  • Virtual hearings: Zoom for courts, MS Teams integration
  • AI for litigation strategy: precedent analysis, outcome prediction

Week 7

Regulatory & Compliance Tech (RegTech)

  • Compliance tracking tools: Asana, LexCheck
  • AML & KYC software (Anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer)
  • GDPR/DPDPA compliance automation

Week 8

Legal Analytics & Big Data

  • Legal analytics platforms: Lex Machina, Premonition Analytics
  • Judicial behavior prediction models
  • Using data to build stronger legal arguments

Month 3: Emerging Tech & Capstone Project

Week 9

Blockchain & Smart Legal Contracts

  • Introduction to Ethereum, Solidity, and Chainlink
  • Enforceability of smart contracts
  • Use cases in real estate, IP, and supply chain

Week 10

AI Ethics & Legal Tech Startups

  • Bias, transparency, and accountability in legal AI
  • How to launch a legal tech startup
  • VC funding & innovation in law

Week 11

Cybersecurity for Law Firms

  • Preventing data breaches & ransomware attacks
  • Secure client communication tools: Signal, ProtonMail
  • Cyber insurance for legal practices

Week 12

Capstone Project & Certification

  • Develop a legal tech solution for a real-world problem
  • Present findings to a panel of legal tech experts
  • Certification in Legal Technology awarded

Week 9

Introduction to Legal Tech & Its Impact

  • Evolution of legal technology (from databases to AI)
  • Key trends: AI, blockchain, smart contracts, ODR
  • Ethical considerations (data privacy, bias in AI)

Week 10

Legal Research 2.0 – AI & Advanced Tools

  • Westlaw Edge, Lexis+, Casetext CARA
  • AI legal assistants (Harvey, ChatGPT for Law)
  • Free & open-access legal research tools

Week 11

Case & Practice Management Software

  • Clio, MyCase, PracticePanther (comparative analysis)
  • Automating client intake & billing
  • Integrating calendars, deadlines & task management

Week 12

Document Automation & Contract Tech

  • HotDocs, Documate, Lexion
  • AI-powered contract review (Kira, Evisort)
  • Smart contract drafting (for blockchain transactions)

Key Learning Methods

  • Real-world case studies(famous disciplinary cases)
  • Role-playing ethical dilemmas(client pressure, bribery offers)
  • Guest lectures(disciplinary committee members, senior advocates)
  • Debates & moot court-style ethical hearings

Assessment & Certification

  • Weekly quizzes on ethical scenarios (20%)
  • Case study analysis (30%)
  • Final capstone project (50%)
  • Certificate of Ethical Practice awarded

Course Modules

Introduction to
Legal Ethics

Overview of ethical responsibilities in legal practice. Key principles: confidentiality, competence, and integrity.

Conflicts of
Interest

Identifying and managing conflicts of interest. Ethical considerations in client representation.

Confidentiality &
Client Privilege

Protecting client confidentiality and privilege. When and how to disclose client information legally.

Professional Conduct in
Court & Practice

Ethical behavior in litigation and client advocacy. Dealing with opposing counsel, the judiciary, and clients ethically.

Disciplinary Procedures
and Regulatory Bodies

Understanding the role of bar associations and regulatory authorities. How disciplinary actions are initiated and resolved. Consequences of ethical violations.

Handling Ethical
Dilemmas

Case studies and real-world scenarios. Practical approaches to resolving ethical conflicts.

Why Choose GB Law School and Research Center?

GB Law School offers comprehensive training in legal ethics, with a strong emphasis on practical application and real-world relevance. Our course is designed to prepare participants for the ethical challenges they may face in various legal settings, ensuring they can respond with integrity and professionalism. With guidance from experienced legal professionals and interactive case studies, students will learn to navigate complex ethical issues confidently and competently. This course ensures that graduates will maintain the highest professional standards, safeguarding their careers and reputation while fostering trust with clients, colleagues, and the judiciary.