This Code of Ethics recognizes that the key IPSIG members — lawyers, investigators and accountants — are also members of professions having their own ethical codes, concepts, rules, standards and/or governing legislation. IPSIG members shall be familiar with and responsive to the mandates of their respective professional codes, rules and/or legislation and shall act consistently with those codes, rules and law as required in the context of particular assignments.

If an IPSIG member believes that an act performed or to be performed during an IPSIG assignment may be in conflict with a relevant professional code, rule or law, the member should refer that potential conflict to the relevant professional association and/or to the IAIPSIG's Ethics Committee for guidance.

Notes:

1. IPSIG members are subject to a variety of existing professional codes, rules and laws. The general ethical principles and concepts contained in these codes relating to competence, honesty, diligence and professionalism apply to IPSIG members when they are engaged in IPSIG work as much as when they are acting as independent professionals. This Code does not restate those general ethical principles and concepts.
   
   
2. Other rules and standards governing IPSIG professionals, however, may or may not apply according to the IPSIG member's professional affiliations and jurisdiction and the needs of the particular assignment. For example, rules governing the conduct of lawyers vary between states and state legislation regulates the activities of private investigators. In addition, the needs and circumstances of particular assignments will determine whether relevant rules or law apply. For example, the existence of an attorney-client relationship is a question of fact and law; auditors are governed by rules and standards that may vary between assignments; and fee arrangements are also regulated in some cases.
   
   
3. This Code cannot anticipate every circumstance in which potential conflicts between individual professional rules and the work of IPSIGs might arise. IPSIG members are expected to be familiar with their governing rules and law and if, in the member's judgement, a potential for conflict exists in particular circumstances, to refer that issue to a relevant professional association and/or the IAIPSIG Ethics Committee.
   
   
4. The "relevant professional association" means the association or body whose rules or standards the IPSIG member believes may be transgressed, or is otherwise most appropriate to resolve the conflict.
   
   
5. Material departures from existing professional codes and standards should be communicated to the host organization by the IPSIG prior to the commencement of the engagement. These should ideally be included in the IPSIG's retainer agreement with the client, which should define the relationship between the IPSIG and the host organization. For example, it is appropriate to specify that an attorney-client relationship is not established by the retainer. The retainer should also state the purpose of the representation, e.g., "this retainer is entered into for the principal purpose of reporting on the financial affairs of the retaining party to [reporting entity]."