Navigating the complexities of divorce and family law can be challenging, and choosing the right legal representation is crucial. At Align Family Law, we prioritize your interests from the very beginning. This starts with a conflict check – an important process that ensures we can provide you with the representation you deserve.
This blog explores the ins and outs of conflict checks in family law: why they’re essential, what information is needed, and how they protect you throughout your case.
Align Family Law is a family law practice with offices in Victoria, Kimberley, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Our collaborative approach to family law prioritizes teamwork to reach the best resolution possible. To learn more about the types of cases we handle, visit our legal services page.
What is a Conflict Check?
When you reach out to our firm, the first step we’ll take is to run a conflict check.
This is a routine process where we check to make sure there’s no conflict of interest that would prevent us from representing you.
A conflict of interest arises when a lawyer or law firm’s ability to represent a client is compromised due to duties owed to another client, a former client, or even their own interests.
Why Do We Perform Conflict Checks?
Performing a conflict check is not just a matter of best practice—it’s a professional and ethical obligation. In British Columbia, as in most jurisdictions, lawyers must comply with the rules of professional conduct set by their governing body (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia).
Here’s why conflict checks are critical:
- Ethical Compliance: Conflict checks help ensure compliance with ethical obligations.
- Preserving Client Confidentiality: Lawyers owe a duty of confidentiality to every client. Representing a new client whose interests conflict with a current or former client could inadvertently lead to breaches of confidentiality.
What Information Do We Need for a Conflict Check?
To perform a thorough conflict check, Align Family Law gathers specific details about the potential client and the matter at hand. Here’s the key information typically required:
- Potential Client’s Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or maiden names)
- Contact information
- Relationship to other parties involved in the matter (if applicable)
- Other Parties Involved:
- Names of opposing parties or individuals involved in the matter
- Names of any entities (e.g., businesses, organizations) connected to the dispute
- Details About the Matter:
- General description of the legal issue (e.g., divorce, property division, spousal support)
- Jurisdiction or location of the dispute
How Do We Conduct Conflict Checks?
To ensure thorough conflict checks, there are several steps involved in our process. We will:
- Search our database of past and current clients.
- Use tools like Clio Manage for efficient searches.
- Consult with team members if needed.
- Document every check for accuracy and compliance.
Contact Align Family Law in British Columbia to Get Started
By identifying potential conflicts of interest before representation begins, Align Family Law protects our clients and complies with our ethical obligations to ensure that every client receives the dedicated and impartial representation they deserve.
If you’re considering hiring a family lawyer, you can have confidence that Align Family Law is committed to protecting your interests.
To get started, contact us by calling (250) 940-3599 or submitting a contact form online.
