If I had to advise, very briefly, the young solicitor on the guiding principles of conduct when he came into the profession, I think I should say to him that it is clear that only the very highest conduct is consistent with membership of this profession of ours. Your client’s interests are paramount–that seems to be clear–except that you should never do, or agree to do, anything dishonest or dishonourable, even in a client’s interests or even under pressure from your best and most valuable client; you had better lose him. Though you may be prevented by the rules affecting your client’s privilege from disclosing something dishonourable which you feel you ought to disclose, you should refuse to take any personal part in anything which you yourself think is dishonourable; you should withdraw and cease to act for that client, even if he presses you to go on. So far as you possibly can, consistently with not actually letting your client down, you should be completely frank in all your dealings with the Court, with your brother solicitors and with the members of the public generally.
Finally, I think I would say that where your word has been pledged, either by yourself or by a member of your staff, you should honour that word even at financial cost to yourself, because his reputation is the greatest asset a solicitor can have, and when you damage your reputation you damage the reputation of the whole body of this very ancient and honourable profession of ours.
Sir Thomas Lund, extracted from “Cordery on Solicitors“, LexisNexis Butterworths, 9th Ed, 1995, at para 1404 — as cited by Public Trustee and Another v By V K Rajah J in “Products Traders Pte Ltd and Others“, 2005, SGHC 103.
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