LEGAL & JUDICIAL ETHICS 2017 GOLDEN NOTES FACULTY OF CIVIL LAW UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS MANILA PDF

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LEGAL & JUDICIAL ETHICS 2017 GOLDEN NOTES FACULTY OF CIVIL LAW UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS MANILA The UST GOLDEN NOTES is the annual student-edited bar review material of the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law. Communications regarding the Notes should be addressed to the Academics Co...

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LEGAL & JUDICIAL ETHICS 2017 GOLDEN NOTES FACULTY OF CIVIL LAW UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS MANILA

The UST GOLDEN NOTES is the annual student-edited bar review material of the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Civil Law. Communications regarding the Notes should be addressed to the Academics Committee of the UST Bar Operations. Address:

Academics Committee UST Bar Operations Faculty of Civil Law University of Santo Tomas España, Manila 1008

Tel. No:

(02) 731-4027 (02) 406-1611 loc. 8578

Academics Committee Faculty of Civil Law University of Santo Tomas España, Manila 1008 All rights reserved by the Academics Committee of the Faculty of Civil Law of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines. 2017 Edition. No portion of this material may be copied or reproduced in books, pamphlets, outlines or notes, whether printed, mimeographed, typewritten, copied in different electronic devises or in any other form, for distribution or sale, without a written permission. A copy of this material without the corresponding code either proceeds from an illegal source or is in possession of one who has no authority to dispose the same.

No. ____________ Printed in the Philippines June 2017.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2017-2018 CIVIL LAW STUDENT COUNCIL JONATHAN SANTOS MA. JASMIN A. LABACO NIÑO JOSEPH B. PIO RODA KARIZZA KAMILLE M. CRUZ

PRESIDENT INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT EXTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY

UST BAR OPERATIONS NIKKI MEI Q. KO RHOSE AZCELLE L. MAGAOAY JANN PATRICIA M. TORRES JERREMIAH KRIZIAH B. BATALLER NELLE FRANCESE DELA PAZ ALEXANDER MARA J. VINLUAN DENZ CHRISTIAN A. RESENTES CLARICE ANGELINE V. QUESTIN KAIRA MARIE B. CARLOS CLARA LOUISSE J. YUMANG EMMANUEL A. LANDAYAN JOHN AL-NAIR SIMONE L. JUMAMIL PATRICIA MAE D. GUILLERMO NIÑO JOSEPH B. PIO RODA JOCHRIS DANIEL Z. GUADES BERYLL ANDRÉ Y. BARCENAS MON FRANCIS A. TOLENTINO MICHAEL EARVIN R. SABADO

CHAIRPERSON VICE-CHAIRPERSON SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY ASST. SECRETARY HEAD, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER ASST. HEAD PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER HEAD, FINANCE COMMITTEE ASST. HEAD, FINANCE COMMITTEE HEAD, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS COMMITTEE ASST. HEAD, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS COMMITTEE ASST. HEAD, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS COMMITTEE ASST. HEAD, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS COMMITTEE LOGISTICS COMMITTEE LOGISTICS COMMITTEE LOGISTICS COMMITTEE LOGISTICS COMMITTEE LOGISTICS COMMITTEE

ATTY. AL CONRAD B. ESPALDON ADVISER

ACADEMICS COMMITTEE CAMILLE ANGELICA B. GONZALES EMNIE VALERIE B. DURAN IRVIN L. PALANCA MARIELLA A. MARASIGAN LARA NICOLE T. GONZALES

SECRETARY GENERAL DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CAMILLE ANGELICA B. GONZALES CIARI T. MENDOZA

LAYOUT ARTIST COVER DESIGN ARTIST

LEGAL & JUDICIAL ETHICS COMMITTEE STEFFI NICOLE P. FLORES LEGAL & JUDICIAL ETHICS COMMITTEE HEAD

MEMBERS FLORRENCE FAYE S. FRANCO NEIL L. NABUAB

ATTY. AL CONRAD B. ESPALDON ADVISER

FACULTY OF CIVIL LAW

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS ACADEMIC OFFICIALS

ATTY. NILO T. DIVINA

REV. FR. ISIDRO C. ABAÑO, O.P.

DEAN

REGENT

ATTY. ARTHUR B. CAPILI FACULTY SECRETARY

ATTY. ELGIN MICHAEL C. PEREZ LEGAL COUNSEL UST CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTO CONCEPCION LEGAL AID CLINIC

JUDGE PHILIP A. AGUINALDO SWDB COORDINATOR

LENY G. GADANIA, R.G.C. GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO OUR MENTORS AND INSPIRATION JUDGE OSCAR PIMENTEL JUDGE PHILIP A. AGUINALDO JUSTICE AMY L. JAVIER JUSTICE MYRA G. FERNANDEZ ATTY. ELGIN MICHAEL C. PEREZ ATTY. ARNOLD E. CACHO JUDGE NOLI C. DIAZ JUDGE GEORGINA D. HIDALGO DEAN JOSE I. DELA RAMA, JR.

For being our guideposts in understanding the intricate sphere of Legal and Judicial Ethics. -Academics Committee 2017

Foreword for 2017 Golden Notes Dean Nilo T. Divina It is with pleasure that I introduce to you the 2017 Golden Notes - a product of the concerted and dedicated efforts of our students, faculty and staff to ensure that our Bar candidates are armed with the most comprehensive, updated and easy to digest reviewer as their companion in the review process. This will provide key concepts, updated jurisprudence, relevant comparisons and notable changes in the law, if any, right at your fingertips. With the aid of selected lawyers, Golden Notes remains at the forefront of providing legal insights raised from past bar questions and current events that could be part of the discussion in the bar examinations. Notably, the editors of this book signified their intention to serve in assisting our aspiring lawyers to develop the kind of mentality needed in justifying answers supported by facts and relevant provisions of laws during the Bar examinations, through the publication’s logical sequence and meticulous presentation of even the most difficult legal concepts. With the aim of increasing the candidate’s confidence and ensuring the efficient use of his/her time in pouring through all eight (8) Bar subjects, we have enlisted the expertise of some of the most senior practitioners in the different fields of law, including noted jurists and esteemed bar reviewers. The diversity of the publication's roster of consultants and editors ensures that it remains relevant and essential. Indeed, with contributions from different people mentioned above, this issue of the Golden Notes marks an important new step in the direction of the UST Faculty of Civil Law. Let these notes, however, not detract you from the true goal. There is no substitute for hard work, and there is no shortcut to excellence. Persevere. Strive. Keep the faith. You will make it. “Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.” - John Quincy Adams

Table of Contents *based on 2017 Bar Syllabus Practice of Law (Rule 138) .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1 A. Concept ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1. Definition of the practice of law. ....................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Practice of law is a privilege, not a right........................................................................................................................ 4 3. Law as a profession, not a business or trade............................................................................................................... 4 B. Qualifications for Admission to the Bar .................................................................................................................................. 4 C. Appearance of Non-Lawyers ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 1. Law student practice rule (Rule 138-A) ........................................................................................................................ 7 2. Non-lawyers in courts. ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 3. Non-lawyers in administrative tribunals ...................................................................................................................... 9 4. Proceedings where lawyers are prohibited from appearing as counsels. .................................................... 9 D. Sanctions for Practice or appearance without authority ............................................................................................ 10 1. Lawyers without authority .................................................................................................................................................. 9 2. Persons who are not lawyers........................................................................................................................................... 11 E. Public officials and the practice of law ................................................................................................................................. 13 1. Prohibition or disqualification of former government attorneys. ................................................................. 13 2. Public officials who cannot practice law or can practice law with restrictions. ..................................... 13 F. Lawyers who are authorized to represent government .............................................................................................. 15 G. Lawyer's Oath ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Code of Professional Responsibility .................................................................................................................................................. 17 A. To society (Canons 1-6)............................................................................................................................................................... 17 1. Respect for law and legal processes ............................................................................................................................. 18 2. Efficient and convenient legal services ....................................................................................................................... 26 3. True, honest, fair, dignified and objective information on legal services .................................................. 29 4. Participation in the improvement and reforms in the legal system ............................................................. 32 5. Participation in legal education program .................................................................................................................. 32 B. To the legal profession ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 1. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Rule 139-A) ...................................................................................................... 35 i. Membership and dues .............................................................................................................................................. 38 2. Upholding the dignity and integrity of the profession ........................................................................................ 39 3. Courtesy, fairness, and candor towards professional colleagues .................................................................. 41 4. No assistance in unauthorized practice of law. ....................................................................................................... 44 C. To the courts ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 47 1. Candor, fairness and good faith towards the courts ............................................................................................. 47 2. Respect for courts and judicial officers....................................................................................................................... 49 3. Assistance in the speedy and efficient administration of justice.................................................................... 54 4. Reliance on merits of his cause and avoidance of any impropriety which tends to influence or gives the appearance of influence upon the courts ........................................................................................................... 58 D. To the clients..................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 1. Availability of service without discrimination ........................................................................................................ 61 i. Services regardless of a person's status .......................................................................................................... 62 ii. Services as counsel de officio ............................................................................................................................... 63 iii. Valid grounds for refusal to serve ...................................................................................................................... 63 2. Candor, fairness and loyalty to clients ........................................................................................................................ 65 i. Confidentiality rule.................................................................................................................................................... 66 ii. Privileged communications ................................................................................................................................... 66 iii. Conflict of interest...................................................................................................................................................... 68 iv. Candid and honest advise to clients .................................................................................................................. 72 v. Compliance with laws .............................................................................................................................................. 73 vi. Concurrent practice of another profession.................................................................................................... 74 3. Client's moneys and properties ...................................................................................................................................... 74 i. Fiduciary relationship .............................................................................................................................................. 75 ii. Co-mingling of funds................................................................................................................................................. 77 iii. Delivery of funds......................................................................................................................................................... 77

4. 5.

6.

7.

8. 9.

iv. Borrowing or lending ............................................................................................................................................... 78 Fidelity to client's cause ..................................................................................................................................................... 79 Competence and diligence ................................................................................................................................................ 80 i. Adequate preparation .............................................................................................................................................. 81 ii. Negligence...................................................................................................................................................................... 82 iii. Collaborating counsel ............................................................................................................................................... 81 iv. Duty to apprise client ............................................................................................................................................... 84 Representation with zeal within legal bounds ........................................................................................................ 85 i. Use of fair and honest means ................................................................................................................................ 86 ii. Client's fraud................................................................................................................................................................. 86 iii. Procedure in handling cases ................................................................................................................................. 87 Attorney's Fees ....................................................................................................................................................................... 88 i. Acceptance fees ........................................................................................................................................................... 92 ii. Contingency fee arrangements ............................................................................................................................ 93 iii. Attorney's Liens .......................................................................................................................................................... 95 iv. Fees and controversies with clients (Quantum Meruit) .......................................................................... 97 v. Concepts of attorney's fees .................................................................................................................................... 99 Preservation of client's confidences .......................................................................................................................... 100 i. Prohibited disclosures and use......................................................................................................................... 100 ii. Disclosure, when allowed.................................................................................................................................... 102 Withdrawal of Services .................................................................................................................................................... 103

Suspension, disbarment and discipline of lawyers (Rule 139-B, Rules of Court) .............................................. 105 A. Nature and characteristics of disciplinary actions against lawyers.................................................................... 105 1. Sui Generis ............................................................................................................................................................................. 107 2. Prescription ........................................................................................................................................................................... 108 B. Grounds ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 108 C. Proceedings .................................................................................................................................................................................... 110 D. Discipline of Filipino Lawyers practicing abroad ........................................................................................................ 114 Readmission to the Bar ........................................................................................................................................................................... 118 A. Lawyers who have been suspended ................................................................................................................................... 118 B. Lawyers who have been disbarred ..................................................................................................................................... 119 C. Lawyers who ha...