Legal Profession

I. Definition of Terms
a.
1. Lawyer - This is a general term for a person trained in law and authorized to advise or
represent others in legal matters. Any person who has been duly admitted to the BAR
upon completion of qualification requierements such as completion of the 4-year basic
law course and upon passing the Bar examination.

2. counsel de officio - an attorney appointed by the court to defend an indigent defendant

in a criminal action or to represent a destitute party in a case.

3. Counsel de Parte - a private counsel, secured by him, without intervention of the

government (at his own will and choice).

4. Practice of Law - It is any activity, in or out of court, which requires the application of
law, legal procedure, knowledge, training, and experience. Generally, to practice law is to
give notice or render any kind of service which device or service requires the use in any
degree of legal knowledge or skills. (Cayetano vs. Monsod, 201 SCRA 210)

5. Amicus Curiae Experienced and impartial attorneys may be invited by the Court to
appear as amici curiae to help in the disposition of issues submitted to it.

6. Moral Turpitude has been defined as everything which is done contrary to justice,
modesty, or good morals; an act of baseness, vileness or depravity in the private and
social duties which a man owes his fellowmen, or to society in general. “Mala in se” evil
in itself
b. Nature of the Legal Profession
c. History of Legal profession
d. Distinction between the Legal Profession and Business

e. Supervision and Control

e.1 Const Art VIII Sec 5(5)
e.2 Const Art XII Sec 14

Cases: ➢ In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 554 (1954)

➢ In the matter of IBP, 151 Phil. 132 (1973)
II. Bar Examinations