Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest

Definition

A genuine or perceived incompatibility between two competing interests, which generally arises when a person's primary interest is unduly influenced by a secondary interest (for example, a conflict between a person's employment duties and the person's personal financial interests). The main types of conflict of interest are familial/intimate relationships, financial, and confidential information. In the legal-ethics context, in the event of a conflict between the interests of two of a lawyer's clients—including former clients—the lawyer cannot represent one client in a matter that could be adverse to the other client's interests without the prior, informed consent of both clients.

Get full access FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership
Here's why 814,000 law students have relied on our key terms:
  • A complete online legal dictionary of law terms and legal definitions
  • Over 7,900 key terms written in plain English to help you not only understand the law but master it
  • The premier online law dictionary built specifically for law students
  • Easy access in class or on the go, accessible both online and through the Quimbee mobile app
  • Reliable - written by legal professors and practitioners
  • Get instant access to all related rules of law to any specific key term with a Quimbee Study Aid plan

Get full access FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership