LEGAL ETHICS 2.
To support the Constitution and obey
Bar – refers to the whole body of attorneys
or the members of the legal profession.
Bench – denotes the whole body of the
judges.
Trial Lawyer – personally handles cases in
court, administrative agencies, or boards.
Practicing Lawyer – engages in the practice
of law
Counsel de Oficio – is lawyer appointed of
assigned by the court, who by reason of
experience and ability, may adequately
defend the accused.
Attorney ad hoc – is one named or appointed
by the court to defend an absentee defendant
in the suit in which the appointment is made.
Attorney of record – is one whose name
appears in the permanent record or files of the
case.
Amicus curiae – means a friend of the court
with string interest in or views on the subject
matter, but not a party to the action.
Amici par excellence – are bar associations
which appear in court as friends to expound
on some matters of law for the information of
the court.
Bar Association – is an association of
members of the legal profession where
membership is integrated and compulsory.
Advocate – is one who pleads the cause of
another before a tribunal or court.
Duties of a Lawyer:
1. To maintain allegiance to the
Philippines;
Compiled by Alex Christian C. Namoca (1-Wigmore) | 1
the laws;
3. To respect the courts and judicial
officers;
4. To preserve the secrets of his/her
clients;
5. To abstain from all offensive actions;
and
6. To present every defense that the law
permits.
Public vs. Private/Personal Duties
• A lawyer’s public duty consists of his
obligations to [1] obey the law, [2] aid
in the administration of justice, or [3]
cooperate with it whenever justice
would otherwise be imperiled.
• A lawyer’s private duty refers to his
obligation to faithfully, honestly, and
conscientiously [1] represent the
interest of his/her client.
• A lawyer’s personal obligation is
what he/she owes to himself/herself.
Answer to the Quiz:
• Legal ethics will guard against the
abuses and ills of the profession such
as dishonesty, deceit, immorality,
negligence, indolence, lack of
diligence, and the many forms of
legal malpractice. It will raise the
standard of legal profession. It will
encourage and enhance the respect for
law and order. It provides the basis
for removing the unfit and the misfits
in the legal profession for the
protection of the public. It provides
the governing rules to limit the
parameters and manage the exercise
of the profession.