By: Phuong Nguyen Tue, Curriculum Development Project Manager, BABSEACLE

On May 10th and 11th, 2014, the Faculty of Law and Public Affairs at Panassastra University of Cambodia (PUC) hosted a two-day training workshop on Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility. The workshop was presented by lawyers from Herbert Smith Freehills (Sydney and Singapore) and MasterCard (Singapore).

Attendees at the workshop included law lecturers, law students, lawyers from PUC, along with representatives from local law firms, the National Economics University, and the University of Economics and Law in Vietnam. This workshop was organized as part of the Legal Ethics, Pro Bono, Access to Justice and Professional Responsibility Curriculum Project, developed and supported by BABSEACLE, Herbert Smith Freehills, DLA Piper/New Perimeter, the Australian Government Solicitor, BABSEACLE Singapore, BABSEACLE Australia, and the BABSEACLE Foundation.

During the course of the workshop, participants were introduced to the concepts of legal ethics, the lawyer’s duty to the client and to the court, the importance of ensuring access to justice, and the provision of pro bono legal services.

CambodiaParticipants were actively engaged in the workshop through a variety of interactive teaching methods designed to encourage discussion and debate.

The workshop was  a great platform for academics, legal practitioners, and law students to meet each other, learn, exchange ideas, and share stories and experiences with a common aim of strengthening the rule of law and developing access to justice in Southeast Asia.