LEGAL&JUDICIALETHICS

GOLDENNOTES2011
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
FACULTYOFCIVILLAW
MANILA

AcademicYear20112012
CIVILLAWSTUDENTCOUNCIL

LesterJohnA.Lomeda
WilfredoT.Bonilla,Jr.
RaissaS.Saipudin
BernadetteFaustineC.Balao
MarcMikhaeleJ.Santos
VictorLorenzoL.Villanuea

President
VicePresident
Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
PublicRelationsOfficer

TEAM:BAROPS2011

DianeCamillaR.Borja
CarloArtemusV.Diaz
MaryGraceL.Javier
RonnRobbyD.Rosales
MarkArthurM.Catabona
AngeliP.Albaa
VicenteO.PlatonIII
KimverlyA.Ong

Chairperson
ViceChairperson
Secretary
LogisticsCommitteeHead
Asst.LogisticsCommitteeHead
FinanceCommitteeHead
HotelAccommodationsHead
Asst.HotelAccommodationsHead

The UST GOLDEN NOTES is a student-edited work of the University

of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law. It is updated annually.
Communications regarding the NOTES should be addressed to the
Academics Committee of the Team: Bar-Ops.
ADDRESS:

TEL. NO.:

Team Bar-Ops
Academics Committee
Faculty of Civil Law
University of Santo Tomas
Espaa, Manila 1008
(02) 731-4027
(02) 4061611 loc. 8578

2011ACADEMICSCOMMITTEE

LesterJayAlanE.FloresII
KarenJoyG.Sabugo
JohnHenryC.Mendoza
JeanelleC.Lee
TheenaC.Martinez
EarlLouieM.Masacayan

Chairperson
ViceChairforAcademics
ViceChairforAcademics
ViceChairforAdministrationandFinance
ViceChairforLayoutandDesign
ViceChairforLayoutandDesign

LEGALANDJUDICIALETHICSCOMMITTEE

TheenaC.Martinez
JeanelleC.Lee
DivineC.Tee
MarinethEasterD.Ayos
MarcRobyG.DeChavez
JoannaD.Peada
GretchenC.Sy

LegalEthicsCommitteeHead
Asst.LegalEthicsCommitteeHead
Asst.LegalEthicsCommitteeHead
Member
Member
Member
Member

ADVISERS

JudgePhilipA.Aguinaldo
Atty.MarianJoanneK.CoPua

FACULTYOFCIVILLAW
UNIVERSITYOFSANTOTOMAS
AcademicYear20112012

ACADEMICOFFICIALS

Atty.NILOT.DIVINA
Dean

Rev.Fr.ISIDROC.ABAO,O.P.
Regent

Atty.ARTHURB.CAPILI
FacultySecretary

Atty.ELGINMICHAELC.PEREZ
LegalCounsel
USTChiefJusticeRobertoConcepcionLegalAidClinic

JudgePHILIPA.AGUINALDO
SWDBCoordinator

LENYG.GADIANA,RGC
GuidanceCounselor

Ourdeepestappreciationtoour
Mentors&Inspiration

JudgePhilipA.Aguinaldo

Atty.MarianJoanneK.CoPua

JonasT.Sahagun

JasminMangona

For activating our magnets of curiosity, knowledge and

wisdom and helping us understand the intricate
sphere of Legal and Judicial Ethics.

AcademicsCommittee2011

DISCLAIMER

Theriskofuse,nonuseandmisuseof
thismaterialshallbebornesolely
bytheuser.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SYLLABUS FOR 2011 BAR EXAMINATIONS
ETHICS
November 20, 2011
(Third Sunday, Morning)

LEGALETHICS.....

I.PRACTICEOFLAW...
A. Concept............
B. Qualifications..............
C. AppearanceofNonlawyersinCourt.................................
1. LawStudentPractice.......................................................................................................
2. NonLawyersinCourt.......................................................................................................
3. NonLawyersinAdministrativeTribunal..........................................................................
4. ProceedingsWhereLawyersareProhibitedfromAppearing..........................................
D.SanctionsforAppearingwithoutAuthority....
1. SanctionsAgainstUnauthorizedPracticeofLawofLawyers...........................................
2. SanctionsAgainstUnauthorizedPracticeofLawof
PersonsWhoareNotLawyers.........................................................................................
E.PublicOfficialsandthePracticeofLaw...................................................................................
ProhibitionorDisqualificationofFormerGovernmentAttorney.........
F.LawyersAuthorizedtoRepresenttheGovernment................................................................
G.LawyersOath...........................................................................................................................

II.DUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITESOFALAWYER..

A. LawyerandtheSociety............................................................................................................
1. RespectforLawandLegalProcesses...............................................................................
2. EfficientandConvenientLegalServices.............................................
AnActProvidingaMechanismForFreeLegalAssistance
andForOtherPurposes(R.A.No.9999)..........................................................................
3. True,Honest,Fair,DignifiedandObjective
InformationonLegalServices.........................................................................................
4. ParticipateintheImprovementoftheLegalSystem.......................................................
5. ParticipationinLegalEducation.......................................................................................
B. TheLawyerandtheLegalProfession.......................................................................................
1. IntegratedBarofthePhilippines......................................................................................
a. TheBoardofGovernors...........................................................................................
b. MembershipandDues.............................................................................................
2. UpholdingtheDignityandIntegrityoftheProfession....................................................
a. PrivilegesandDutiesofaLawyer............................................................................
3. Courtesy,FairnessandCandorTowardsProfessionalColleagues..................................
4. NoAssistanceinUnauthorizedPracticeofLaw
C. TheLawyerandtheCourts.
1. Candor,FairnessandGoodFaithTowardstheCourt
2. RespectforCourtsandJudicialOfficers.
3. AssistanceintheSpeedyandEfficientAdministrationofJustice
4. RelianceonMeritsofCaseNotfromImproperInfluenceUpontheCourts.
D. TheLawyerandtheClient
1. AvailabilityofServiceWithoutDiscrimination..
a. ServicesRegardlessofPersonsStatus.
b. ServicesasCounseldeOfficio
c. ValidGroundsforRefusal.
2. Candor,FairnessandLoyaltytoClients.
a. ConfidentialityRule..
b. PrivilegeCommunication..
c. ConflictofInterest.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
d. CandidandHonestAdvicetoClients.
ClientsMoneysandProperties
a. FiduciaryRelationship....
b. CoMinglingofFunds...
c. DeliveryofFunds.
d. BorrowingorLending..
4. FidelitytoClientsCause
5. CompetenceandDiligence..
a. CollaboratingCounsel..
b. Negligence
c. DutytoAppraisetheClient..
6. RepresentationwithSealWithinLegalBounds.
a. DutytoRestrainClientfromImpropriety.................................................................
b. DutyofLawyerinCaseofKnowledgeofClientsFraud...........................................
c. AuthorityofaLawyer...............................................................................................
7. AttorneysFees................................................................................................................
a. ConceptsofAttorneysFees....................................................................................
OrdinaryConceptofAttorneysFees.......................................................................
ExtraordinaryConceptofAttorneysFees...............................................................
b. AcceptanceFees.......................................................................................................
c. ContingencyFeeArrangements...............................................................................
d. AttorneysLien..........................................................................................................
e. FeesandControversieswithClients.........................................................................
8. PreservationofClientsConfidences................................................................................
9. WithdrawalofServices.....................................................................................................
a. DischargeofAttorneybytheClients........................................................................
b. WithdrawaloftheAttorney.....................................................................................
c. LiabilitiesofaLawyer...............................................................................................

III.DISCIPLINEOFLAWYERS

A. NatureandCharacteristicsofDisciplinaryActionsAgainstLawyer...
B. Grounds...
C. DisbarmentProceedings..........................................................................................................
a. ProcedureforDisbarment...............................................................................................
ProcedureforDisbarmentorDisciplineofAttorneysbytheIBP
(Rule139B,RRC).........................................................................................................
ProcedureforDisbarmentorDisciplineofAttorneys
bytheSupremeCourtMotuPropio(Rule139B,RRC)...............................................
b.Defenses..........................................................................................................................
D.DisciplineofFilipinoLawyersPracticeinForeignJurisdiction..................................................

IV.READMISSIONTOTHEBAR.....................................................................................................
A. ReadmissiontotheBarofLawyersWhoHaveBeenSuspended.............................................
B. ReadmissiontotheBarofLawyersWhoHaveBeenDisbarred...............................................
C. ReadmissiontotheBarofLawyersWhoHaveBeenRepatriated............................................

V.MANDATORYCONTINUINGLEGALEDUCATION(MCLE)............................................................
A. PurposeofMCLE......................................................................................................................
B. Requirement.............................................................................................................................
C. Compliance...............................................................................................................................
D. Exemptions...............................................................................................................................
E. Sanctions..................................................................................................................................

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VI.NOTARIALPRACTICE............................................................................................................. 133
A. QualificationsofNotaryPublic................................................................................................. 133
B. TermofOfficeofaNotaryPublic............................................................................................. 135
C. PowersandLimitationsofaNotaryPublic............................................................................... 136
3.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
D.
E.
F.
G.

NotarialRegister.......................................................................................................................
JurisdictionofnotaryPublicandPlaceofNotarization............................................................
CompetentEvidenceofIdentity...............................................................................................
RevocationofCommissionandDisciplinarySanctions............................................................

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JUDICIALETHICS........... 147

I.PRELIMINARY........................................................................................................................... 147
A. Concept.................................................................................................................................... 147
B. QualificationsofJusticesandJudges......................................................................................
147

II.NEWCODEOFJUDICIALCONDUCT........................................................................................ 148
Independence....................................................................................................................... 148
Integrity................................................................................................................................ 152
Impartiality........................................................................................................................... 154
Propriety............................................................................................................................... 161
Equality................................................................................................................................. 170
CompetenceandDiligence................................................................................................... 172

III.CODEOFJUDICIALCONDUCT................................................................................................. 177

IV.DISCIPLINEOFMEMBERSOFTHEJUDICIARY......................................................................... 184
A. DisciplineofMembersoftheJudiciary.................................................................................... 184
a.Impeachment................................................................................................................. 184
B. DisciplineofMembersofLowerCourtJudgesandJustices.................................................... 184
C. GroundsforDisciplineofMembersoftheJudiciary................................................................ 184
D. SanctionsimposedbytheSupremeCourtonErringMembersoftheJudiciary................... 190
E. ReinstatementofaJudgePreviouslyDisciplined..................................................................... 190
ProcedureforDisciplineofJudgesofRegularandSpecialCourtsandJusticesofthe

CourtofAppealsandtheSandiganbayan(A.M.No.01810SC)........................................ 191

LEGALFORMS.................. 192

I. COMMONFORMS..................................................................................................................... 192

A. Acknowledgment
FORM1:GeneralFormofAcknowledgment.... 192

B. Jurat
FORM2:Jurat... 194

C. Pleadings
FORM3:GeneralFormatofaPleading.... 195

D. Prayer
FORM4:Prayer..... 196

E. ProofofService
FORM5:ProofofService....... 196
FORM6:ProofofServiceThroughRegisteredMailwithExplanation... 196

F. CertificationofNonForumShopping
FORM7:CertificationofNonForumShopping...... 197

G. Verification
FORM8:Verification...... 198
FORM9:VerificationofNonforumShopping.. 198

II. BUSINESSFORMS...................................................................................................... 199

A. Contracts
FORM10:ContractofleaseofPersonalProperty.......... 119
FORM11:ContractofLeaseofRealProperty... 200
FORM12:ContractofRealEstateMortgage.... 201
FORM13:ChattelMortgage.......... 202
FORM14:PledgeAgreement... 203

TABLE OF CONTENTS
B.

Deed
FORM15:DeedofSaleofPersonalProperty..
FORM16:DeedofSaleofUnregisteredLand.
FORM17:DeedofSalewithPactodeRetro
FORM18:DeedofRepurchaseofLandSoldUnderPactodeRetro..
FORM19:DeedofAssignment..
FORM20:DeedofDonationIntervivos...
FORM21:DeedofDonationMortisCausa...

C. PowerofAttorney
FORM22:GeneralPowerofAttorney..
FORM23:SpecialPowerofAttorney...
FORM24:RevocationofPowerofAttorney...

D. Corporation
FORM25:ArticlesofIncorporation...
FORM26:WaiverofPreemptiveRight..
FORM27:SecretarysCertificate..
FORM28:TreasurersAffidavit.

E. Partnership
FORM29:ArticlesofGeneralPartnership.
FORM30:ArticlesofLimitedPartnership..

F. NegotiableInstrument
FORM31:PromissoryNote..
FORM32:BillofExchange.

G. Will
FORM33:HolographicWill
FORM34:NotarialWill.

III.JUDICIALFORMS......................................................................................................................

A. Affidavit
FORM35:Affidavit....
FORM36:AffidavitofMerit......
FORM37:AffidavitofGoodFaith..............

B. Motions
FORM38:MotiontoDeclareDefendantinDefault......
FORM39:MotiontoDeclareDefendantinDefault......
FORM40:MotiontoLiftanOrderofDefault.....
FORM41:MotionforPostponementofHearing.....
FORM42:MotiontoDismiss........
FORM43:MotiontoIntervene.......
FORM44:MotionforNewTrial.
FORM45:MotionforExtension...
FORM46:MotionforBail..
FORM47:MotionforQuash...
FORM48:DemurrertoEvidence..

C. Complaint
FORM49:Complaint....
FORM50:ComplaintofUnlawfulDetainer
FORM51:ComplaintforReplevin
FORM52:ComplaintforInterpleader.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
D.

Answer
FORM53:AnswerwithSpecialandAffirmativeDefensesandCounterclaim
FORM54:AnswerwithThirdPartyComplaint
FORM55:AnswerwithSpecificDenialofDocumentUnderOath..

Petition
FORM56:PetitionforAdoption
FORM57:PetitionforGuardianship..
FORM58:PetitionforHabeasCorpus..
FORM59:PetitionforWritofAmparo.
FORM60:PetitionforHabeasData
FORM61:PetitionforChangeofName..
FORM62:PetitionforCertiorari..
FORM63:ComplaintforDeclaratoryRelief....
FORM64:PetitionforProhibition
FORM65:Mandamus
FORM66:ProbateofWill..
FORM67:QuoWarranto
FORM68:PetitionforExtradition

CriminalComplaint
FORM69:CriminalComplaintAffidavit..
FORM70:CounterAffidavit.
FORM71:GeneralFormofInformation.

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E.
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F.
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IV.OTHERFORMS..................................................................................................................... 254
FORM72:SubstitutionofCounsel.. 254
FORM73:NoticeofAppeal.. 254
FORM74:Comment/OppositiontoOffer.. 255

A. CriminalComplaint
FORM75:CertificateofCandidacy.... 256
FORM76:ElectionProtest 257

V.LEGALOPINION................................................................................................................... 258
259
Illustration1:LegalOpinion...............................................................................................
264
Sample:LegalOpinion.......................................................................................................

VI.MEMORANDUMWRTING.................................................................................................... 267
268
Illustration2:Memorandum.............................................................................................

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TERMINDEX..

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BIBLIOGRAPHY.