"A significant minority" expressed either distrust or neutral attitudes towards the legal system
New data have unveiled “a concerning level of public trust in lawyers, judges and the justice system”, the NSW Law Society reported.
President Joanne van der Plaat pointed out that while around 60% of NSW citizens indicated that they trusted the members of the profession and the system, “it's obvious there remains room for improvement.”
She explained that “a significant minority” was “either distrustful or neutral in their attitudes.”
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“Any political party or aspiring Prime Minister would be over the moon with polls showing 60% support in the lead up to an election. But these figures reflect attitudes to a system that is crucial to the proper, orderly and fair functioning of a nation under the rule of law,” van der Plaat said. “The data should give pause, not only to lawyers, but also to leaders in politics and the media, to examine how their words and actions might be affecting public confidence in the administration of justice.”
The survey, which was conducted by global communications firm Edelman and commissioned by the NSW Law Society, drew on feedback from over a thousand citizens regarding the trustworthiness of lawyers and how respondents decide to seek legal advice and from whom.
“Lawyers, who are parliamentary counsel, draft the laws debated by parliaments that result in legislation governing the entire community. Lawyers, who are judges, apply the law in their judgments. Solicitors and barristers work to resolve disputes arising under those laws and advise government, business and individuals how to operate within those laws,” van der Plaat explained.
“Unjustified media and political criticism of judicial officers’ can only erode this confidence, particularly when propriety demands that judges and magistrates do not defend themselves in the public arena but must let their judgments speak for themselves.”
She added that the ethical obligations of lawyers are “enforceable at law,” and significant violations could end careers.
The survey’s findings were examined further at the NSW Law Society’s first-ever Law Society of NSW 2022 Conference, which featured NSW Chief Justice Dr Andrew Bell.