How should a barrister approach ethical decision-making in high-pressure cases?

• A. Ignore conflicts if time pressure exists.
• B. Rely on personal intuition only.
• C. Pause to assess conflicts, consult guidelines, and prefer ethical over expedient choices.
• D. Rely on expedient choices over ethics.

Answer: (C)

When under pressure, the duty to act ethically remains the guiding standard. The best approach is to pause to identify any conflicts, consult the relevant ethics guidelines, and choose the course that upholds ethical obligations over expediency. This process helps protect client interests, maintain confidentiality, and ensure the integrity of the tribunal since decisions are based on proper rules rather than impulse. It also provides a clear path for handling conflicts, such as seeking appropriate guidance, considering disqualification, disclosure, or obtaining informed consent where permissible, or withdrawing if the conflict cannot be resolved. Time pressure does not excuse neglecting conflicts or defaulting to shortcuts; relying on intuition or expediency can breach professional duties and undermine fairness in the case.