COURTROOM DECUROM AND ETIQUETTE

Lawyers, whether private practitioners or government employees or officers,

are required to observe proper dress code and behavior during court hearings,
whether it is a virtual or physical, in order to avoid appropriate disciplinary
measures which can be exercised by the presiding judge. The primary purpose of it
is to maintain the dignity and solemnity of proceedings and of course to preserve
the respect and confidence of the people to legal profession and system.

BASIC RULES:

DRESS CODE (COUNSEL AND CLIENT): For male lawyers, a coat and tie
with slacks and leather shoes will suffice or a barong with slacks and leather shoes.
For female lawyers, a blazer is enough but avoid using interior clothing that are too
revealing or dresses that shows your cleavage or majority of your legs. Make sure
that clothing has long sleeves or the sleeves are completely rolled out. For the
clients or witnesses, the Witness Counsel should see that their witnesses are
likewise correctly attired in court and are presentable. Shorts, Sando, sun glasses
and hats are not allowed.

MOBILE PHONES: Make sure to turn off or place your phone in silent mode
when entering the court. Refrain from using it unless there is a compelling reason
to do so. If your phone rings unexpectedly, apologize to the judge and ask
permission to answer the call outside the court room.

UPON ENTRY OF THE JUDGE: When the judge enters the courtroom for the
day’s first appearance, order should be maintained. Counsel, their clients, witnesses
and everyone else present in the courtroom should rise and remain standing in
their appointed places until the presiding Clerk opens the Court and the Judge is
seated. Wait for the judge to strike the gavel before sitting down. Everyone, except
the Clerk, will then be seated. The Clerk will then call the matter or case to be
heard. If your case is announced stand immediately and enter your appearance as
counsel of your client.

ALERTNESS: Always be attentive inside the court. Listen to the judge

carefully and respond to his/her queries directly and briefly as possible. Address the
judge with veneration by stating “Your Honor”. Wait for the judge to finish his/her
statement or question before speaking or answering. As much as possible do not
irritate the judge.

WHEN SPEAKING: Talk slowly, loudly and clearly. Do not eat your words
and express your statements, manifestations and queries in simple terms.

POSTURE AND GESTURE: Keep a good posture, stand straight with

shoulders back, relaxed and feet shoulder width apart. Do not cross your arms, put
your hands in your pocket or slouch. Face the judge as possible and keep your body
open. With respect to gestures, avoid gestures that are offensive or improper like
pointing using your lips.

LATENESS: Counsel, who arrive in court after the court has been opened
and the case has been called, should offer an apology to the Court and give an
explanation for their lateness.

AT THE COUNSELS’ TABLE: No matter how friendly they may be, counsels
should ignore each other socially at the counsel table and during a trial. Cordial
greetings, joking with each other and other indications of intimacy are likely to
engender suspicion in a client and usually give the public a bad and wrong
impression. Avoid chatting with each other unless it is a case related concern.