CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY CHEAT SHEET
LAWYER AND SOCIETY CANON 4 - A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN
CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE
CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND
AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF AND
LEGAL PROCESSES.
1.01 Duty not to engage in unlawful conduct
1.02 Duty not to counsel illegal activities
1.03 Duty not to encourage lawsuit
1.04 Duty to encourage amicable settlement
CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS LEGAL
SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN EFFICIENT AND
CONVENIENT MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE
INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION.
2.01 Shall not reject the cause of the defenseless
2.02 Shall not refuse to render legal advice
2.03 Shall not do /permit act designed to solicit legal
business
2.04 Shall not charge rates lower than customarily
prescribed unless so warrant
CANON3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING KNOWN HIS
LEGAL SERVICES SHALL USE ONLY TRUE,
HONEST, FAIR, DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE
INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF FACTS.
3.01 Shall not use/permit UFFUMDS1 statements or claim
regarding his qualifications or legal services
3.02 Shall not use FAM2 name as firm name.. Continued
use of deceased name is permissible provided the
firm indicates in all its communications that such
partner is deceased.
3.03 Public officer partner; withdraw + name dropped
unless allowed by law to practice currently
3.04 Not pay or give anything to m.media in anticipation
/return of publicity to attract legal business
1 Undignified, False, Fraudulent, Unfair, Misleading,
Deceptive, Self-Laudatory
2 False, Assumed or Misleading Name
AGRR
CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY
INITIATING OR SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN LAW
REFORM AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
CANON 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP ABREAST OF
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICIPATE IN
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HIGH
STANDARDS IN LAW SCHOOLS AS WELL AS IN
THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF LAW STUDENTS
AND ASSIST IN DISSEMINATING THE LAW AND
JURISPRUDENCE.
CANON 6 - THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO
LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE
DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.
6.01 Prosecutor shall see to it that justice is done
6.02 Not use his public position to promote private interest
6.03 Former official may not accept certain employment
in any matter he has intervened while in government
service
LAWYER AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION
CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES
UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE
LEGAL PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE
ACTIVITIES OF THE INTEGRATED BAR.
7.01 Shall make no false statement in his application to the
bar
7.02 Shall not support unqualified applicant to the bar
7.03 Shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflect his
fitness to practice law; nor shall he whether in his
pub/priv life behave in a scandalous manner to the
discredit of the legal profession
3Pre-existing Agreement that upon the death of the
Partner or Associate, money shall be paid to his estate
or to a person Specified, Lawyer undertakes to finish an
HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND
CANDOR TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL
COLLEAGUES, AND SHALL AVOID HARASSING
TACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.
8.01 Shall use temperate language
8.02 Shall not encroach in the business of another.
However w/o fear/favor give proper advice and
assistance to those seeking relief against an
unfaithful/neglectful counsel
CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY,
OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN THE UNAUTHORIZED
PRACTICE OF LAW.
9.01 Shall not delegate legal work to non-lawyers
9.02 Shall not divide fees w/ non-lawyers
XPN: Pre-Un-Ret3
LAWYERS AND THE COURT
CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, FAIRNESS
AND GOOD FAITH TO THE COURT.
10.01 Shall do no falsehood
10.02 Shall not knowingly misquote or misrepresent
10.03 Shall not misuse rules of procedure
CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE AND
MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO THE COURTS
AND TO JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND SHOULD
INSIST ON SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
11.01 Appear properly attired
11.02 Punctually appear
11.03 Abstain from offensive language and behavior
11.04 Shall not attribute to a judge improper motive
11.05 Submit grievance against a judge to proper
authorities only
unfinished legal business of a deceased lawyer or
Retirement plan
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY CHEAT SHEET
CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY
EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS DUTY TO ASSIST
IN THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
12.01 Come to court adequately prepared on law & facts
of the case, evidence, and order of preference
12.02 Not file multiple actions arising from the same cause
12.03 File pleadings within period
12.04 Not delay/impede execution of judgment
12.05 Refrain from talking to witness during break/recess
in trial while still in examination
12.06 Not assist a witness to misrepresent
12.07 Not harass a witness
12.08 Avoid testifying in behalf of his client
XPN: FS4
CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY UPON THE
MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND REFRAIN FROM ANY
IMPROPRIETY WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE OR
GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INFLUENCING THE
COURT.
13.01 Not extend extraordinary hospitality to a judge
13.02 Not publicly discuss pending cases tending to arouse
public opinion for or against a party
13.03 Not brook nor invite judicial interference
LAWYER AND THE CLIENT
CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS
SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
14.01 Not decline to represent solely on account of
RSCSO 5
14.02 Not decline appointment as counsel de officio of
court/IBP
XPN: Serious and sufficient causes
14.03 May not refuse to accept representation of indigent
client
XPN:Not in position to carry out work
effectively or competently or when there
is conflict of interest
14.04 Observe same standard of service to all clients
4 Formal Matter or Substantial matter where testimony
is essential to the end s of justice
AGRR
CANON 15 – A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE
CANDOR.FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN ALL HIS
DEALINGS AND TRASACTIONS WITH HIS
CLIENTS
15.01 Ascertain as soon as practicable conflict of interest
whether his own or with another client
15.02 Bound by privilege communication
15.03 Not represent any conflicting interest
XPN: with written consent of all AND
after full disclosure of facts
15.04 Act as mediator with written consent of all
concerned
15.05 Give candid and honest opinion on the merits and
probable result of case
15.06 Not imply/state that he is able to influence any
public official, tribunal/ legislative body
15.07 Impress upon client compliance with law and
fairness
15.08 Lawyer engaged in another profession/occupation
concurrently shall make it clear to client whether he
is acting as a lawyer or another capacity
CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST
ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT
THAT MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.
16.01 Account all money and property collected and
received from client
16.02 Keep funds of client separate and apart from his
own
16.03 Deliver funds & prop of client when due upon
demand
XPN: He shall have lien over the funds and
may apply so much as may be necessary to
satisfy his lawful fees and disbursement,
giving notice to client. He shall also have lien
to the same extent on all judgments and
executions secured for his client provided in
the ROC
16.04 Not borrow money from client
XPN: Client’s interest fully protected
Neither lawyer lend
5 Race, Sex, Creed, Status in Life or his Opinion of Guilt
XPN: In the interest of justice, he has to
advance necessary expenses on legal
matters he is handling
CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS
CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF
THE LAW
19.01 Employ only fair & honest means attain lawful
objectives of client
19.02 Promptly call upon client to rectify fraud upon a
person or tribunal & failing w/c, terminate
relationship
19.03 Not allow client to dictate procedure for handling
case
CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY TO THE
CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE SHALL BE
MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
REPOSED IN HIM.
CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE HIS CLIENT
WITH COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE.
18.01 Render service only when qualified to do so
18.02 Not handle case without adequate preparation
18.03 Not neglect legal matter entrusted to him
18.04 Keep client informed of status of the case and
respond within a reasonable time to client’s request
for information
CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS
CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF
THE LAW
19.01 Employ only fair & honest means attain lawful
objectives of client
19.02 Promptly call upon client to rectify fraud upon a
person or tribunal & failing w/c, terminate
relationship
19.03 Not allow client to dictate procedure for handling
case
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY CHEAT SHEET
CANON 20- A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY
FAIR AND REASONABLE FEES
20.01 Factors for determining fees:
(a) Time spent and extent of services
rendered
(b) Novelty and difficulty
(c) Importance of subject matter
(d) Skill demanded
(e) Probability of losing other employment
due to acceptance of case
(f) Customary charges
(g) Amount involved and benefits resulting to
client
(h) Contingency or certainty of compensation
(i) Characteristic of employment
(j) Professional Standing
20.02 In case of referral with consent of client, be entitled
to proportionate division of fees
20.03 Shall not without the full knowledge and consent of
client accept any compensation related to his
professional employment from anyone other than
the client
CANON 21- A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE
CONFIDENCES AND SECRETS OF HIS CLIENT
EVEN AFTER ATTORNEY-CLIENT
RELATIONSHIP IS TERMINATED
21.01 Shall not reveal confidences to anyone
XPN:ALaN6
21.02 Shall not use information acquired in the course of
employment to the disadvantage of the client or to
his own advantage or that of a third person
XPN: With full knowledge and consent of
client
21.03 Shall not give information to an outside agency
XPN: With written consent of client
21.04 May disclose affairs of client to firm partners and
associates
XPN: Prohibited by client
21.05 Adopt measures required to prevent employees from
disclosing or utilizing secrets or confidences of his
client
21.06 Avoid indiscreet conversation about clients affairs,
even with members of his family
6Authorized by client after acquainting him of
consequences of disclosure, Required by Law or When
AGRR
21.07 Not reveal that he was consulted for a case
XPN: To avoid conflict of interest
CANON 22- A LAWYER SHALL WITHDRAW HIS
SERVICES ONLY FOR GOOD CAUSE AND UPON
NOTICE APPROPRIATE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
22.01 A lawyer may withdraw his services in any of the
following cases:
(a) Client pursues illegal or immoral course
of conduct
(b) Client insists that lawyer pursue conduct
violative of these canons and rules
(c) His inability to work with co-counsel will
not promote best interest of client
(d) Mental or physical condition renders it
difficult for him to carry out the
employment effectively
(e) Client deliberately fails to pay fees or fails
to comply with retainer agreement
(f) Lawyer is elected or appointed to public
office
(g) Other similar causes
22.02 Withdrawing or Discharged lawyer, shall
immediately turn over all papers and property, and
cooperate with his successor
21.06 Avoid indiscreet conversation about clients affairs,
even with members of his family
21.07 Not reveal that he was consulted for a case
XPN: To avoid conflict of interest
Necessary to collect his fees or defend himself or
employees from judicial action