When a lawyer's duty to you clashes with their own interests or duties to someone else.
What it means
A conflict of interest arises when a lawyer's duty to act in a client's best interests is compromised by a competing interest, such as a personal stake or a duty owed to another current or former client. Australian solicitors' conduct rules require lawyers to avoid such conflicts and, where one exists, generally to decline or cease acting. The duties of loyalty and confidentiality underpin these rules and protect the client's trust.
How it's used
The firm declined the case because acting would create a conflict of interest with an existing client on the other side.
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