The duty in context
Truthful, non-misleading advertising profession
The lawyer must ensure all publicity and advertising about their practice and charges is accurate and not false, misleading, deceptive, offensive or unlawful.
How the codes express this duty
E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code CCS 8.8 strong 18 cases
8.8 You ensure that any publicity in relation to your practice is accurate and not misleading, including that relating to your charges and the circumstances in which interest is payable by or to clients.
SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs · 2019 · archived copy · official source ↗
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC19; gC57 strong
rC19 If you supply, or offer to supply, legal services, you must not mislead, or cause or permit to be misled, any person ... gC57 Knowingly or recklessly publishing advertising material which is inaccurate or likely to mislead could also result in you being in breach of Rule rC19. You should be particularly careful about making comparisons with other persons as these may often be regarded as misleading.
BSB Handbook Part 2: Code of Conduct · 5.0 · archived copy · official source ↗
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 R.12.2; R.12.3 strong
Such publicity shall not be — (a) false; (b) misleading or deceptive or calculated or likely to mislead or deceive; (c) offensive to a reasonable standard of fairness and decency; or (d) prohibited by law.
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code of Professional Conduct · 2026 · archived copy
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules Rules 36.1; 36.2 strong 11 cases
36.1 A solicitor or principal of a law practice must ensure that any advertising, marketing, or promotion in connection with the solicitor or law practice is not: 36.1.1 false; 36.1.2 misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive; 36.1.3 offensive; or 36.1.4 prohibited by law. 36.2 A solicitor must not convey a false, misleading or deceptive impression of specialist expertise...
Australian Solicitors' Conduct Rules · 2015 (June 2026 compilation) · archived copy · official source ↗
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules no clear equivalent
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch9 — Advertising strong 2 cases
When advertising, solicitors should ensure that the advertisement is not: i) Likely to bring the legal profession into disrepute, ii) In bad taste, iii) Reflecting unfavourably on another legal practitioner, iv) False or misleading in any material respect, v) Published in an inappropriate location.
Solicitor's Guide to Professional Conduct (Law Society of Ireland) · 4th ed. (2022) · archived copy · official source ↗
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct Rule 6.13 partial 2 cases
Barristers may only advertise in a manner prescribed by regulations made pursuant to s.218(2) of the Act of 2015. ... Pending the making of such regulations ... Barristers may only advertise in accordance with s.218(1) of the Act of 2015 and, if applicable, in accordance with such rules, regulations or guidelines as may be made by the Bar Council pertaining to advertising by Barristers.
Code of Conduct for the Bar of Ireland · 2024 · archived copy · official source ↗
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon II(d); Canon II(g) partial 1 case
Except as permitted by clause (e) and (f) of this Canon, an Attorney shall not in any way make use of any form of public advertisement calculated to attract clients to himself ... [II(g)] An Attorney shall not permit his professional standing to be used for the purpose of advertising any particular product, service or commercial organization.
Legal Profession (Canons of Professional Ethics) Rules · 1978 (principal) · archived copy · official source ↗
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code R.8.2; R.8.3 strong
A member must ensure that any advertising, marketing or promotion in connection with the member or his or her firm complies with this Code of Conduct and all legal and regulatory obligations. Such publicity must not be: a) false; b) misleading or deceptive or calculated or likely to mislead or deceive; c) offensive to a reasonable standard of fairness and decency; or d) prohibited by law.
Law Society of Jersey Code of Conduct · 1 January 2017 · archived copy · official source ↗
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct r 4.2-1 strong
A lawyer may market legal services only if the marketing (a) is demonstrably true, accurate and verifiable; (b) is neither misleading, confusing, or deceptive, nor likely to mislead, confuse or deceive; and (c) is in the best interests of the public and is consistent with a high standard of professionalism.
Law Society of Ontario — Rules of Professional Conduct · current · archived copy · official source ↗
BC Lawyers BC Code r 4.2-5 strong
Any marketing activity undertaken or authorized by a lawyer must not be: (a) false, (b) inaccurate, (c) unverifiable, (d) reasonably capable of misleading the recipient or intended recipient, or (e) contrary to the best interests of the public.
Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia (BC Code) · 2017 · archived copy · official source ↗
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules r 10.9 partial
A lawyer must not engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive anyone on any aspect of the lawyer's practice.
Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 · SR 2008/214 · archived copy · official source ↗
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct no clear equivalent
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 r 44 (Misleading, deceptive, inaccurate or false, etc., publicity) strong
44 Misleading, deceptive, inaccurate or false, etc., publicity
Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules 2015 · 2015 · archived copy · official source ↗
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 3.02 / Principle 4.01 Commentary 6 partial
In promoting his practice, a solicitor must pay careful attention to and comply with rule 2AA of the Solicitors' Practice Rules (Cap. 159 sub. leg. H) and the Solicitors' Practice Promotion Code. ... A solicitor may advertise his fees but any publicity concerning charges or a basis of charging must comply with the Solicitors' Practice Promotion Code.
Hong Kong Solicitors' Guide to Professional Conduct (Volume 1) · current · archived copy · official source ↗
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct para 8.1(b)(i) strong
Advertising or promotion must not:- (i) be inaccurate, unverifiable or likely to mislead.
Code of Conduct of the Bar of the Hong Kong SAR · 2018 · archived copy · official source ↗
Cases dealing with this duty
32 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern
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David Bray
Charges 1 & 2 constitutes professional misconduct
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Grubisa, Dominique
Proceedings no. 2022/00387737 (First Application) 1. Mrs Grubisa was the principal of a law practice which had lay associates who were disqualified persons under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and who were not a…
Costs Order recommending removal of lawyer's name from the Roll of Australian Lawyers $0.00 1 PDF View decision -
Buckley, Nathan Andrew
Proceedings no. 2023/00140580 (Social Media Application) 1. Made public statements encouraging residents To breach laws by providing false information to the ASIC for the purpose of avoiding the effect of applicable pub…
Costs Order recommending removal of lawyer's name from the Supreme Court Roll $0.00 1 PDF View decision -
David Ebert LLP
Authorisation of Individuals Regulations 2019, Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, SRA Principles 2019
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Gilbert, Brett John
In publishing a Media Release on or about 7 June 2022, the Respondent Solicitor has acted contrary to Rule 36 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules by publishing material, in connectio…
Reprimand Solicitor to provide written apology $0.00 About About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision -
Karen Nicholson
Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Dishonesty, Lack of Integrity, SRA Principles 2011
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Kelso, Peter Leslie
Breach of rule 36.1.2 of the Solicitors' Conduct Rules by failing to ensure that advertising, marketing or promotion in connection with law practice was not misleading or deceptive or likely to mislead or deceive — Unsa…
Lawyer to undertake and complete further ethics education $0.00 About About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision -
Vaughn O’Neil Bignall vs General Legal Council 2020 CV 01333
Vaughn O’Neil Bignall vs General Legal Council 2020 CV 01333 Posted on February 3, 2022 by GLC Web Admin July 5, 2024 Reply Supreme Court decision delivered January 28, 2022. View PDF in Full Screen … [CLICK TO READ MOR…
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Martin Doyle
The respondent engaged in professional misconduct.
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Kathleen Doocey
In the matter of Kathleen Doocey, a solicitor practising as KM Doocey Solicitors at American Street, Belmullet, Co Mayo, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [2018/DT83 and High Court 2020 no 40 SA] Law So…
strike_off View decision -
Roger Brian Allanson
Breaches, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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Marie-Garrard Newton
Breaches, Delays, Failures, Others, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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Bryden, Robert
Breach of advertising regulations — Professional Misconduct
Costs Fine Reprimand 01/11/2012 (Disciplinary Action) $48,000.00 View decision -
Hagipantelis, Bandeli
Breach of advertising regulations — Professional Misconduct
Costs Fine Reprimand (01/11/2012 Disciplinary Action) $48,000.00 View decision -
Anthony David Preston
Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Others, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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S Sockalingam & Others
Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, Others
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Shameer Farouk Sacranie - SFS Legal Ltd - J
Breaches, Failures, Others, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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Yvonne Shanti & Mayson Shanti
Breaches, Client Money, Criminal Convictions, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, Others
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Keddie, Russell Walter
Breach of advertising regulations — Professional Misconduct
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Thomas Byrne
In the matter of Thomas Byrne, a solicitor formerly practising under the style and title of Thomas Byrne & Co at 78 Walkinstown Road, Dublin 12, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2002 [6095/DT60/06, 6095/DT3…
strike_off View decision -
Karen Silman
Others
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Richard John Swinburn
Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, Others
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Ranjanadevi Uttamrao Nikam
Breaches, Others
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Olasumkanmi M Bolaji & Sokunle O Sonuga
Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, Others
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A Afolabi, A Otah & O Ogunjebe
Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules, Others
Duty classification does not yet cover every jurisdiction (Ontario, New Zealand and Singapore decisions are indexed but not yet duty-classified), so counts here understate those corpora.