Ethics and duties in the new deontological codes. A view from Italy

Abstract

For a while now, a series of deontological codes have been appearing. These codes establish the duties and ethical guidelines that certain profesional must respect in the exercise of their profession. For a proper understanding of this phenomenon, it is necessary to remember the origin and subsequent evolution of deontology, the nature of the ‘duty’ of deontological codes and professional ethics, and the function and qualification of deontological rules. The nature of ethical standards has not been a peaceful issue. It means returning to the debate on the relationship between law and morality. This article analyzes the position of the Italian jurisprudence in relation to the own considerations regarding this issue made by the deontological codes of the Spanish legal profession, of the Italian legal profession, as well as that of European lawyers.