Lawyer's Oath

I ______, of ________ do solemnly swear,

that I will maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines,
I will support and defend its Constitution and obey laws as well as the
legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein;
I will do no falsehood, nor consent to its commission;
I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or
unlawful suit, nor give aid nor consent to the same;
I will not delay any man’s cause for money or malice, and will conduct
myself as a lawyer according to the best of my knowledge and
discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the courts as to my clients;
and I impose upon myself this obligation voluntarily, without any
mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So help me God.
 CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY
CANON 1
- A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE
LAWS OF THE LAND AND PROMOTE RESPECT FOR LAW OF AND
LEGAL PROCESSES.

Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in unlawful,

dishonest, immoral or deceitful conduct.

Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or abet

activities aimed at defiance of the law or at lessening
confidence in the legal system.

Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any corrupt motive

or interest, encourage any suit or proceeding or delay
any man's cause.

Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his clients to

avoid, end or settle a controversy if it will admit of
a fair 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.

Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for valid

reasons, the cause of the defenseless or the oppressed.

Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer does not

accept a case, he shall not refuse to render legal
advice to the person concerned if only to the extent
necessary to safeguard the latter's rights.
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or permit to be done
any act designed primarily to solicit legal business.

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, FAIR, 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 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, no false,

misleading or assumed name shall be used. The continued
use of the name of a deceased partner is permissible
provided that the firm indicates in all its
communications that said partner is deceased.

Rule 3.03 - Where a partner accepts public office, he

shall withdraw from the firm and his name shall be
dropped from the firm name unless the law allows him to
practice law currently.

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.

CANON 4
- A LAWYER SHALL PARTICIPATE IN 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 INFORMATION
REGARDING THE LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE.

CANON 6
- THESE CANONS SHALL APPLY TO LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT
SERVICES IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR TASKS.

Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in

public prosecution is not to convict but to see that
justice is done. The suppression of facts or the
concealment of witnesses capable of establishing the
innocence of the accused is highly reprehensible and is
cause for disciplinary action.

Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government service shall

not use his public position to promote or advance his
private interests, nor allow the latter to interfere
with his public duties.

Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after leaving

government service, accept engagement or employment in
connection with any matter in which he had intervened
while in said service.
 CHAPTER II. THE 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.
 
Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for knowingly
making a false statement or suppressing a material fact
in connection with his application for admission to the
bar.

Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the application

for admission to the bar of any person known by him to
be unqualified in respect to character, education, or
other relevant attribute.

Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that

adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor
shall he, whether in public or private life, behave in
a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal
profession.

CANON 8
A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS
AND CANDOR TOWARDS HIS PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES, AND
SHALL AVOID HARASSING TACTICS AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.
 
Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his professional
dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive or
otherwise improper.
Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or indirectly,
encroach upon the professional employment of another
lawyer, however, it is the right of any lawyer, without
fear or favor, to give proper advice and assistance to
those seeking relief against unfaithful or neglectful
counsel.

CANON 9
- A LAWYER SHALL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST
IN THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW.
 
Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate to any
unqualified person the performance of any task which by
law may only be performed by a member of the bar in
good standing.

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:

a.Where there is a pre-existing agreement with a

partner or associate that, upon the latter's death,
money shall be paid over a reasonable period of
time to his estate or to persons specified in the
agreement; or

b.Where a lawyer undertakes to complete unfinished

legal business of a deceased lawyer; or

c.Where a lawyer or law firm includes non-lawyer

employees in a retirement plan even if the plan is
based in whole or in part, on a profit sharing
agreement.
 CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE COURTS

CANON 10
A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE
COURT.
 
Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor
consent to the doing of any in Court; nor shall he
mislead, or allow the Court to be misled by any
artifice.

Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not knowingly misquote or

misrepresent the contents of a paper, the language or
the argument of opposing counsel, or the text of a
decision or authority, or knowingly cite as law a
provision already rendered inoperative by repeal or
amendment, or assert as a fact that which has not been
proved.

Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the rules of

procedure and shall not misuse them to defeat the ends
of justice.

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.
 
Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in court properly
attired.

Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually appear at court

hearings.
Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from scandalous,
offensive or menacing language or behavior before the
Courts.

Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute to a Judge

motives not supported by the record or have no
materiality to the case.

Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit grievances against a

Judge to the proper authorities only.

CANON 12
A LAWYER SHALL EXERT EVERY EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS
DUTY TO ASSIST IN THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
 
Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear for trial unless
he has adequately prepared himself on the law and the
facts of his case, the evidence he will adduce and the
order of its proferrence. He should also be ready with
the original documents for comparison with the copies.

Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file multiple actions

arising from the same cause.

Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after obtaining

extensions of time to file pleadings, memoranda or
briefs, let the period lapse without submitting the
same or offering an explanation for his failure to do
so.

Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly delay a case,

impede the execution of a judgment or misuse Court
processes.

Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from talking to his

witness during a break or recess in the trial, while
the witness is still under examination.
Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not knowingly assist a
witness to misrepresent himself or to impersonate
another.

Rule 12.07 - A lawyer shall not abuse, browbeat or

harass a witness nor needlessly inconvenience him.

Rule 12.08 - A lawyer shall avoid testifying in behalf

of his client, except:
a.on formal matters, such as the mailing,
authentication or custody of an instrument, and the
like; or

b.on substantial matters, in cases where his

testimony is essential to the ends of justice, in
which event he must, during his testimony, entrust
the trial of the case to another counsel.

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.
 
Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend extraordinary
attention or hospitality to, nor seek opportunity for
cultivating familiarity with Judges.

Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make public statements

in the media regarding a pending case tending to arouse
public opinion for or against a party.

Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or invite

interference by another branch or agency of the
government in the normal course of judicial
proceedings.
CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT
CANON 14
A LAWYER SHALL NOT REFUSE HIS SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
 
Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline to represent a
person solely on account of the latter's race, sex.
creed or status of life, or because of his own opinion
regarding the guilt of said person.

Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline, except for

serious and sufficient cause, an appointment as
counsel de officio or as amicus curiae, or a request
from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or any of
its chapters for rendition of free legal aid.

Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to accept

representation of an indigent client unless:

a.he is not in a position to carry out the work

effectively or competently;

b.he labors under a conflict of interest between him

and the prospective client or between a present
client and the prospective client.

Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the cause of a person

unable to pay his professional fees shall observe the
same standard of conduct governing his relations with
paying clients.

CANON 15
A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN
ALL HIS DEALINGS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS CLIENTS.
 
Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring with a
prospective client, shall ascertain as soon as
practicable whether the matter would involve a conflict
with another client or his own interest, and if so,
shall forthwith inform the prospective client.

Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by the rule on

privilege communication in respect of matters disclosed
to him by a prospective client.

Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not represent conflicting

interests except by written consent of all concerned
given after a full disclosure of the facts.

Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the written consent of

all concerned, act as mediator, conciliator or
arbitrator in settling disputes.

Rule 15.05. - A lawyer when advising his client, shall

give a candid and honest opinion on the merits and
probable results of the client's case, neither
overstating nor understating the prospects of the case.

Rule 15.06. - A lawyer shall not state or imply that he

is able to influence any public official, tribunal or
legislative body.

Rule 15.07. - A lawyer shall impress upon his client

compliance with the laws and the principles of
fairness.

Rule 15.08. - A lawyer who is engaged in another

profession or occupation concurrently with the practice
of law shall make clear to his client whether he is
acting as a lawyer or in another capacity.

CANON 16
A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES
OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY COME INTO HIS PROFESSION.
 
Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all money or
property collected or received for or from the client.

Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of each

client separate and apart from his own and those of
others kept by him.

Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and

property of his client when due or upon demand.
However, he shall have a lien over the funds and may
apply so much thereof as may be necessary to satisfy
his lawful fees and disbursements, giving notice
promptly thereafter to his client. He shall also have a
lien to the same extent on all judgments and executions
he has secured for his client as provided for in the
Rules of Court.

Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money from his

client unless the client's interest are fully protected
by the nature of the case or by independent advice.
Neither shall a lawyer lend money to a client except,
when in the interest of justice, he has to advance
necessary expenses in a legal matter he is handling for
the client.

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.
 
Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not undertake a legal
service which he knows or should know that he is not
qualified to render. However, he may render such
service if, with the consent of his client, he can
obtain as collaborating counsel a lawyer who is
competent on the matter.

Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle any legal matter

without adequate preparation.

Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter

entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection
therewith shall render him liable.

Rule 18.04 - A lawyer shall keep the client informed of

the status of his case and shall respond within a
reasonable time to the client's request for
information.

CANON 19
- A LAWYER SHALL REPRESENT HIS CLIENT WITH ZEAL WITHIN
THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW.
 
Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only fair and honest
means to attain the lawful objectives of his client and
shall not present, participate in presenting or
threaten to present unfounded criminal charges to
obtain an improper advantage in any case or proceeding.
Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received information that
his client has, in the course of the representation,
perpetrated a fraud upon a person or tribunal, shall
promptly call upon the client to rectify the same, and
failing which he shall terminate the relationship with
such client in accordance with the Rules of Court.
Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his client to
dictate the procedure in handling the case.
 CANON 20
- A LAWYER SHALL CHARGE ONLY FAIR AND REASONABLE FEES.
 
Rule 20.01 - A lawyer shall be guided by the following
factors in determining his fees: chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) the time spent and the extent of the service

rendered or required;
(b) the novelty and difficulty of the questions
involved;
(c) The importance of the subject matter;
(d) The skill demanded;
(e) The probability of losing other employment as a
result of acceptance of the proffered case;
(f) The customary charges for similar services and the
schedule of fees of the IBP chapter to which he
belongs;
(g) The amount involved in the controversy and the
benefits resulting to the client from the service;
(h) The contingency or certainty of compensation;
(i) The character of the employment, whether occasional
or established; and
(j) The professional standing of the lawyer.
Rule 20.02 - A lawyer shall, in case of referral, with
the consent of the client, be entitled to a division of
fees in proportion to the work performed and
responsibility assumed.
Rule 20.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the full
knowledge and consent of the client, accept any fee,
reward, costs, commission, interest, rebate or
forwarding allowance or other compensation whatsoever
related to his professional employment from anyone
other than the client.
Rule 20.04 - A lawyer shall avoid controversies with
clients concerning his compensation and shall resort to
judicial action only to prevent imposition, injustice
or fraud.
 CANON 21
- A LAWYER SHALL PRESERVE THE CONFIDENCE AND SECRETS
OF HIS CLIENT EVEN AFTER THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATION
IS TERMINATED.
 
Rule 21.01 - A lawyer shall not reveal the confidences
or secrets of his client except;
(a) When authorized by the client after acquainting him
of the consequences of the disclosure;
(b) When required by law;
(c) When necessary to collect his fees or to defend
himself, his employees or associates or by judicial
action.
Rule 21.02 - A lawyer shall not, to the disadvantage of
his client, use information acquired in the course of
employment, nor shall he use the same to his own
advantage or that of a third person, unless the client
with full knowledge of the circumstances consents
thereto.
Rule 21.03 - A lawyer shall not, without the written
consent of his client, give information from his files
to an outside agency seeking such information for
auditing, statistical, bookkeeping, accounting, data
processing, or any similar purpose.
Rule 21.04 - A lawyer may disclose the affairs of a
client of the firm to partners or associates thereof
unless prohibited by the client.
Rule 21.05 - A lawyer shall adopt such measures as may
be required to prevent those whose services are
utilized by him, from disclosing or using confidences
or secrets of the clients.
Rule 21.06 - A lawyer shall avoid indiscreet
conversation about a client's affairs even with members
of his family.
Rule 21.07 - A lawyer shall not reveal that he has been
consulted about a particular case except to avoid
possible conflict of interest.
 CANON 22
- A LAWYER SHALL WITHDRAW HIS SERVICES ONLY FOR GOOD
CAUSE AND UPON NOTICE APPROPRIATE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
Rule 22.01 - A lawyer may withdraw his services in any
of the following case:
chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) When the client pursues an illegal or immoral

course of conduct in connection with the matter he is
handling;
(b) When the client insists that the lawyer pursue
conduct violative of these canons and rules;
(c) When his inability to work with co-counsel will not
promote the best interest of the client;
(d) When the mental or physical condition of the lawyer
renders it difficult for him to carry out the
employment effectively;
(e) When the client deliberately fails to pay the fees
for the services or fails to comply with the retainer
agreement;
(f) When the lawyer is elected or appointed to public
office; and
(g) Other similar cases.
Rule 22.02 - A lawyer who withdraws or is discharged
shall, subject to a retainer lien, immediately turn
over all papers and property to which the client is
entitled, and shall cooperative with his successor in
the orderly transfer of the matter, including all
information necessary for the proper handling of the
matter.