Any Lawyers about: I need some advice on a matter of work
Any Lawyers about: I need some advice on a matter of work
Author
Discussion

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
As the title says,

there are certain aspect of my work I need some legal clarification/certainty on. I need someome to help me be aware of legal implications whilst undertaking a certain type of work.

Thanks,



Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Friday 21st November 16:06

G'kar

3,728 posts

216 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Double 'O' rating pending?

Lurking Lawyer

4,535 posts

255 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Bit too cryptic for anyone reading to be able to tell what kind of advice you're after.....

Care to elaborate a little so that any of the PH lawyers can decide whether they feel able to venture a view?

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Lurking Lawyer said:
Bit too cryptic for anyone reading to be able to tell what kind of advice you're after.....

Care to elaborate a little so that any of the PH lawyers can decide whether they feel able to venture a view?
OK.

Matters of confidence. When someone tells you something in confidence when legally do you need to take it to higher/legal authority. I am not covered by oaths or the privacy of the confessional and I need to know if there are situations where legally I have an OBLIGATION to act.

Client confidence is everything, but legal responsibility is something else all together.

Is that clearer?

Dirty Boy

14,859 posts

239 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
I'd use my own common sense in that case.


tank slapper

7,949 posts

313 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
From your profile you appear to be some sort of counsellor. Others I know have done this say that everything is confidential unless someone tells you that they are planning to, or are likely to hurt someone.

Edited by tank slapper on Friday 21st November 17:08

princeperch

8,275 posts

277 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
why don't you help this person change their beliefs by using your clever processes that work directly with the subconscious?

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
princeperch said:
why don't you help this person change their beliefs by using your clever processes that work directly with the subconscious?
clever answer smile need the legal view though

Eric Mc

125,675 posts

295 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Do you work in any of the legal or accounting/financial professions?

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Do you work in any of the legal or accounting/financial professions?
No Eric

Munter

31,331 posts

271 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Whistle blowing from outside an organisation with information you should not (and did not want to) have?

Not sure how that works....

Brown and Boris

11,838 posts

265 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
If you don't have a pre-agreemnet as most counselleors do, I would say that if the matter is one where someone will be sriously inured, killed , abused etc then the motal obligation is to act/disclose. Most counselloers make that clkear to clisnts before they start that if they admit X, Y or Z or say they are going to do A, B or C (like kill themselves or others) then you will tell the authorities.

I preseume that since you don't have that framework you are not a professional counselleor in which case I would sayy the above rule applies with impunity; if they intend to hurt themselves or others or commit a serious criminal act you have to grass them up (or get them to do it themselves).

If it just someone at work who is admitting have a problem which can affect their work but isn't dangerous (like stealing stuff) the obligation is moral and in your hands. If however they have a drugs problem and are operating JCBs, or driving a truck or handling drugs I think it falls into the 'grass up' category.

Lots of if's here, just tell us!

erolb

506 posts

217 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Is it about that video of Kerry Katona allegedly plunging herself? Don't worry yourself, old bean. We already know.

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

241 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
Brown and Boris said:
If you don't have a pre-agreemnet as most counselleors do, I would say that if the matter is one where someone will be sriously inured, killed , abused etc then the motal obligation is to act/disclose. Most counselloers make that clkear to clisnts before they start that if they admit X, Y or Z or say they are going to do A, B or C (like kill themselves or others) then you will tell the authorities.

I preseume that since you don't have that framework you are not a professional counselleor in which case I would sayy the above rule applies with impunity; if they intend to hurt themselves or others or commit a serious criminal act you have to grass them up (or get them to do it themselves).

If it just someone at work who is admitting have a problem which can affect their work but isn't dangerous (like stealing stuff) the obligation is moral and in your hands. If however they have a drugs problem and are operating JCBs, or driving a truck or handling drugs I think it falls into the 'grass up' category.

Lots of if's here, just tell us!
thanks for the advice. I am not a councellor, but work within the same kind of framework. Advice much appreciated.

FastLaneGirl

1,188 posts

221 months

Friday 21st November 2008
quotequote all
drivin_me_nuts - off topic, sorry, but your profile doesn't permit emails. Am I right you live in Brighton? If so would you send me an email please (will work through my profile)? I had a couple of things to ask related to what you do. Thanks smile

Jasandjules

72,602 posts

259 months

Saturday 22nd November 2008
quotequote all
Isn't there some sort of professional body for counsellors? If so, they would be able to offer advice?

As above, it will depend on what will happen/what the client has said. If he's going to hurt someone.........

ALawson

8,054 posts

281 months

Saturday 22nd November 2008
quotequote all
Well my fathers GP wouldn't even contact the DVLA when he had been diagnosed with Dementia because he thought that his knowing that my dad was unsafe to drive was patient confidentiallity!

In the end a Police office had cause to speak to him and subsequently contacted the DVLA, who then instructed the GP to tell all, license revoked 4 weeks later.

I think that if you are being paid to do a job then the Health and Safety at work act will cover you for most things; if you can demonstrate protecting the public and our employees was required or relevant as a result of your work with your clients.