Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Page | 1
Lawyer's Oath
1
Form 28- Attorney’s Oath, Rules of Court, Rex Publishing Company, 2008 ed. p. 585
INTRODUCTION
This paper would like to explain what rules lawyers adhere to in order to
be truthful and ethical in their practice without sacrificing the livelihood aspect
of their profession.
Included in this paper are the common issues that affects solicitation of
legal services. Sample bar examination questions and as well as some cases
pertaining to this unethical act.
When one solicits, it means that a person do some acts which would
w ould tend
to attract somebody to what that person would like to have . Applying this
concept to legal services, the idea of soliciting would pertain to the means that a
lawyer do in order to gain profit by attracting the
the legal need of a potentia
potentiall client.
Of course,
legal what
services. is being
Part of thistalked
paperabout here is to
therefore, thealso
unethical
explainaspect of soliciting
the ethical way of
soliciting legal services.
Also at the end of this paper is the answer to the question: what would be
the consequence of practicing an unethical act of soliciting legal services. This
would pertain to the penalty that a lawyer could face if ever he do acts in the
nature of unethical solicitation which are violative of their lawyer‟s oath of
upholding the Constitution and obeying the laws of the land.
It is of no secret that our code of ethics in the legal profession came from
foreign laws. Notably it was based on the American Bar Association‟s Canons of
Professional Ethics in 1908. This was adopted in the Philippines in 1917.
Eventually the Philippines created its own code of professional ethics to lawyers
which was named as the Code of Professional Responsibility promulgated on
June 21, 1988.3 This is what is commonly known
k nown today as the CPR.
In the legal profession, one should always consider the presence of the
following with respect to the legal profession:
2
Dictionary.reference.com/browse/service
3 E. Pineda, Legal Ethics, Pg. 2-3
3. A r elat
el at i on to cl ie n ts in th e hi gh est
es t d egr
eg r ee of f idu
id u ci ar y; Page | 3
4. A r elat
el at io n to co l l e ague
ag ue s at th e ba r c ha
harr ac
actt er ize
iz e d by c an
ando
do r ,
fairness, and unwillingness toresort to current business methods of
advertising and encroachment on their practice or dealing directly with
their clients.4
The primary basis for the creation of the code of legal ethics for lawyers in
the Philippines is Art. 8, Sec. 5[5] of the 1987 Constitution which provides that:
“The Supreme Court shall have the following powers: x x x
Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of
constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts,
the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal
assistance to the underp
underprivileged.
rivileged. Such rules shall provide a
simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of
cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not
diminish, increase,
of special or modify
courts and substantive
quasi-judicial rights.
bodies shallRules of effective
remain procedure
unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.”
5
E. Pineda, Legal Eth
Ethics.
ics. p.2
DISCUSSION Page | 4
APPLICABLE LAWS
In the discussion for solicitation for legal services, it is important to note the
specific rules under the Code of Professional Responsibility which applies to
this topic. These rules are based on the lawyer‟s oath cited in the first page of
this paper. To be reminded, the following quotation from the lawyer‟s oath shall
serve to aid the reader‟s memory with regard to solicitation for legal services.
The lawyer‟s oath says:
CANON 1- A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the land and
promote respect
respect for law and legal processes.
Rule 2.04.A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those customarily
prescribed, unless the circumstances so warrant.
CANON 3- A lawyer in making known his legal services shall use only true, honest, air,
dignified and objective information or statement of facts.
Rule 3.01- A lawyer shall not use or permit the use of any false,
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or unfair
statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal services.
Rule 3.04- A lawyer shall not pay or give anything of value to representatives of the
mass media in anticipation of, or in return for, publicity to attract legal business.
Rule 9.02- A lawyer shall not divide or stipulate to divide a fee for legal
services with persons not licensed to practice law,
l aw, except:
As analyzed by the authors of this paper and based on the above-cited
canons and rules, the ethical standards that lawyers should be cautious to when
it comes to solicitation of legal services may be categorized into four:
Each of these category would be discussed below together with the relevant
cases.
Here are some cases which pertains to a deceptive act of a lawyer Page | 6
in order to solicit legal services as lifted from the books of Dean Ernesto
Pineda and Dean Rufus Rodriguez. Some of the synopsis of the cases are
also adopted for clearer understanding of the application of soliciting
business in the legal profession.
CASE ONE
The above cited case is a clear indication that in order to solicit legal
services, the lawyer here apparently misled the respondent into believing that
he could bring her out of the country without processing the valid documents.
CASE TWO
IN RE: TAGORDA
53 Phil 37
6
R. Rodriguez, The Fundamentals
Fundamentals of Legal and Judicial Ethics, ed. p. 46 (2004)
“As a notary public, he can execute for you a deed of sale for the
purchase of land as required by the cadastral office, can renew lost
documents of young animals, can make your application and final
requisites for your homestead,
homestead, and execute any kind of affidavit. A
Ass a
lawyer, he can help you collect your loans, altogether long overdue, as
well as any complaints for or against you. He offers free consultation
and is willing to help the poor.”
Page | 7
He was suspended7
CASE ONE
Synopsis: For engaging in the practice of soliciting cases and for the purpose
of gain through paid agents or brokers, respondent attorney is repriman
reprimanded.
ded.
TIMOTEO A. DAVID”
HELD: We hold that the said agreement is void because it was tantamount to
malpractice which is the practice of soliciting cases at law for the purpose of
gain, either personally or through paid agents or brokers.”(Sec. 27, Rule 138,
Rules of Court)8
It is clear in this case that the use of agents in soliciting legal services is
prohibited by law and therefore unethical. This is no different from the notary
publics that most people see under train stations or those who are practicing
dubious notary in Recto Avenue in Manila. It must be noted that in order for a
notary public to notarize, there is a need for the notarial book of a lawyer where
he puts entries there and that the affiant should persona
personally
lly appear before him.
Unfortunately, this is not strictly followed in actual practice. There are a lot of
lawyers who do this kind of modus operandi in order to gain gain money. Of course,
this is unethical because the practice of law is not a business.
7
Same, p. 86
8
Same, p. 66
Rule 9.02- A lawyer shall not divide or stipulate to divide a fee for legal services
with persons not licensed to practice law, except:
CASE ONE
CASE TWO
FACTS: The respondet Atty. Bayot is charged with malpractice for having
published an advertisement in the Sunday Tribune of June 13, 1943, which
reads follows:
“Marriage
annoyance license
of delay promptly avoided
or publicity secured if
thru our assistance
desired, & the
and marriage
9
Same, p. 69
CASE THREE
FACTS: Petitioner prays this Court to order the respondent to cease and desist
from issuing the following advertisements:
“SECRET MARRIAGE?
P560.00 for a valid marriage.
Info on DIVORCE, ABSENCE, ANNULMENT.
VISA.
THE LEGAL CLINIC, INC.
x x x”
HELD: The Supreme Court enjoined the said corporation from issuing or
causing the publication or dissemination of any advertisement in any form
which is of the same or similar tenor and purpose of as above.
These advertisements are contrary to Rule 2.03 and Rule 3.01 of the
Code of Professional Responsibility.
It can be gleaned from the above cases that false advertisements to solicit
legal services are probably the most common of the unethical solicitation of
legal services. At this point, the authors of this paper would like to call the
reader‟s mentioning
Without attention regarding
any names theofwebsites of big the
the law firms, lawauthors
firms in thefound
have country.
out
that whenever one would go to the websites of these law firms, their expertise
are displayed in their websites. Are these not tantamount to solicitation of legal
services also? The authors believe that they are because there seems to be a
hidden intent on the part of these law firms to solicit business by stating what
their expertise are. For example, in a law firm in Makati, their website would
provide that they are entertaining tax cases, mining cases and intellectual
property cases. If this is continued, what would then happen to the small law
firms? It is believed and as will be discussed later that the best advertisement of
a law firm would be by word of mouth. This would be discussed later.
10
E. Pineda. Legal Ethics. 2009 ed., p.80
Rule 2.04- A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those customarily
prescribed unless the circumstances so warrant.
Corollary to this are the fees charged by a notary public as cited under
Rule 141, Sec. 12 of the Rules of Court. This could be a proper subject of
amendment because of its seemingly low rates but, nevertheless, the Rule
provides for the standard to follow in charging notarial fees. The Rule provides:
“Sec. 12. Notaries.- No notary public shall charge or receive for any
service rendered by him any fee, remuneration or compensation in
excess of those expressly prescribed in the following schedule:
V . Misrepresenti
Misrepresenting
ng as to a lawyer’s conn
connection
ection with a law fi
firm
rm
without
wit out iind
ndic
icaati
ting
ng ssuc
uch
h ssttatu
tuss. O
Oth
theers ma
manage
nage to use
use fo
fore
reiign law
law fi
firm
rmss in th
their pu
purs
rsui
uitt to
to
solicit legal business. Still other lawyers would also take advantage of their position in public
office to aid them in soliciting legal services. All these acts is not encouraged by our rules in
legal ethics.
The pertinent rules for this category of unethical practice of soliciting legal services
are the ffollowing:
ollowing:
Page | 11
CANON 3- A lawyer in making known his legal services shall use only true, honest,
air, dignified and objective information or statement of facts.
Rule 3.01- A lawyer sshall
hall n
not
ot use or permi
permitt the use of any false,
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or unfair
statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal services.
s ervices.
Thus, if a group of lawyers would like to establish a law firm, they cannot
use a false name or include in their partnership name the name of a person who
is not a lawyer. It does not mean that if a person is well-known he could just be
included
Also if a in their firm
partner died,name
therejust to falsely
should be anmisrepresent thatsuch
indication that theypartner
can be trusted.
died in
their firm name. This is usually done by placing some marks above the name of
the deceased partner such as a cross or an asterisk. If a Filipino lawyer is also
using the name of a foreign law firm, he is likewise prohibited by law to practice
under the name of such a firm. A good case for this one is the case of Dacanay
vs. Baker & McKenzie.
CASE ONE
Respondent Vicente A. Torres, using the letterhead of Baker & McKenzie, which
contains the names of ten lawyers, asked Rosie Clurman for the release of 87
shares of Cathay Products International, Inc. To H.E., Gabriel, a client.
Filipino lawyers cannot practice law under the name of a foreign law firm.
This act is
is prohibited under RA 7160, Section 90
publicName
office.ofIfpartner should
a partner in be dropped
a law firmfrom
has the firm name
accepted whenoffice,
a public he accepts
his
name shall be remo ved from the firm name name..
Rule 3.04- A lawyer shall not pay or give anything of value to representatives of the
mass media in anticipation of, or in return for, publicity to attract legal business.
This canon refers to all kinds of media. The fastest rising means of
advertising legal services at this point would be the internet. In the Philippines
though, since not all households get access to the internet, still the most
popular means of soliciting legal services through the media would still be the
radio and the television. However, the giving of a legal advice in good faith in
different should not be completely abhorred. \
A. BARRATRY
B. It is the offense of frequently exciting and stirring up quarrels and suits,
either at law or otherwise. The person who engages in barratry is called a
barretor or barrator.11
C. MAINTENANCE
It is the intermeddling of an uninterested party to encourage a lawsuit. It
is a taking in hand,a bearing up or upholding or quarrels or sides, to the
disturbance of the common right. 12
D. AMBULANCE CHASING
It is the lawyer‟s act of chasing an ambulance carrying the victim of an
accident for the purpose of talking to the said victim or relatives and
offering his legal services for the filing of a case against the person who
caused the accident.13
11
D. Funa, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Bar Examination Quesitons, p. 45
12
D. Funa, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Bar Examination Quesitons, p. 45
13
E. Pineda, Legal Ethics, p. 64
2.CALLING CARDS- The use of ordinary simple professional card. The card
contain only a statement of his name, the name of the law firm which he is
connected with, address, telephone no., and special branch of law practiced.
3.ANNOUNCEMENT IN OPENING A LAW FIRM- Publication or a public
announcement of the opening of a law firm or of changes in the partnership,
associates, firm name or office address, being for the convenience of the
profession.
Law is a profession and not a trade because its basic ideal is to render public
service
is only aand secure justice
secondary for those who seek its aid. The gaining of a livelihood
consideration
2. . Explain the axiom “The practice of law is noble profession, not a business.
(1975 Bar
Exam)
The practice of law is a noble profession and not a business because it treats of
the most important interests of man, namely: life, liberty and property. The
lawyer‟s first duty is t o maintain good administration of justice. In maintaining
the causes confided to him, he should delay no man for money or malice. He
should not reject for any personal reason the causes of the defenseless and the
oppressed. Pecuniary rewards are but a secondary importance. The profession
of law is more a mission than a business profession and therefore its object is
not material reward but promote the administration of justice; hence, where a
lawyer in the pursuit of his calling finds conformity with professional ethics
difficult, he should other vocation.
The use of professional cards carrying the name of the lawyer, his title,
his office and his residence maybe proper. Announcements in periodicals or
magazines regarding the opening of a law office or the foundation of a law
partnership containing only names and addresses are proper.
6. “The „X‟ Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines render legal
assistance through its members, free of charge, to any person who is without
means to enforce or defend a right, Any such person may call at the Chapter
Office at (address) during office hours f or
or consultation.”
b. Suppose that in the above notice the reference to the IBP is deleted.
Instead, the name of a particular lawyer is what appears. Would it make a
difference to your previous answer? Explain. [1980 bar exams]
However, if the notice does not include the reference of the IBP chapter
and only the name of the particular lawyer appears, it might constitute as
unethical solicitation.
7. A Justice of the Supreme Court, while reading a newspaper one weekend, saw
the following advertisement:
ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE
Competent Lawyer
Reasonable Fee
Call 221 – 2221
Mondays to Fridays
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm
The following session day, the Justice called the attention of his
colleagues and the Bar Confidant was directed to verify the advertisement. It
turned out that the number belongs to Attorney X, who was then directed to
explain to the Court why he should not be disciplinary dealt with for the
improper advertisement. Page | 15
Attorney X, in his answer, averred that (1) the advertisement was not
improper because his name was not mentioned in the ad; and (2) he could not
be subjected to disciplinary action because there was no complaint
complaint against him.
Rule on Attorney X‟s contention. [2003 bar exams]
e xams]
A. A calling card, 2”x 2”in size, bearing his name in bold print, office,
residence and e-mail addresses, telephone and facsiline numbers.
ETHICAL- a lawyer, in making known his legal services shall use only
true, honest, dignified, and objective information or statement of facts.
UNETHICAL- the size of the card and the inclusion of the lawyer‟s photo
in it smacks of commercialism
ETHICAL- the lawyer can no longer be held responsible for the action of
his client. However, it would be unethical if he knew about his client‟s intention
to publish and he did not stop it.
NO. A lawyer in making known his legal services should not use any false
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified or self-laudatory statements
regarding his qualifications and legal services. The claim that he can secure
annulment of marriage promptly is false and misleading and his claim that he is
an expert in legal separation is self-laudatory. Advertisement constitutes
improper solicitation and violates the sanctity of the institution of marriage
which the state should protect.
11. Atty. B, C and D recently inaugurated their law partnership. Among the
invited guests were clients, business executive and government officials
including
inaugural aaffair
few members
which theoflaw
thefirm
judiacy. Photographs
subsequently wereto taken
caused during the
be published in
major newspaper dailies. Was there anything ethically wrong in what the
partnership had done? [ 1997 Bar Exam]
Rule 3.01- A lawyer shall not use or permit the use of any false,
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, self-laudatory or unfair
statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal services.
12. A businessman is looking for new retainer. He approached you and asked
for your schedule of fees or charges. He informed you of the professional fees he
is presently paying his retainer, which is actually lower than your rates. He said
that if your rates are lower, he would engage your services.
Will you lower your rates in order to get the client? Explain. [2005 Bar exam]
Rule 2.04. provides that A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those
customarily prescribed, unless the circumstances so warrant.
I will emphasize to the general manager that the practice of law is a profession
and not a trade. Consequently, I will not propose a lower fee just for the sake of
competing with another firm, because such practice smacks of commercialism.
Rule 2.04. provides that A lawyer shall not charge rates lower than those
customarily prescribed, unless the circumstances so warrant.
CONCLUSION
Penalty
The penalty
following for an improper solicitation of legal services is provided by the
rule:
Rule 138, Sec. 27 Disbarment or suspension of attorneys by Supreme
Court; grounds therefor. – A member of the bar may be disbarred or
suspended from his office as attorney by the Supreme Court for any
deceit , malpractice xxx. The practice of soliciting cases at law for the
purpose of gain, either personally or through paid agents or brokers,
constitutes malpractice.
REFERENCES
examination questions