CHAPTER I. THE LAWYER AND SOCIETY CHAPTER II. THE LAWYER AND THE CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III. THE LAWYER AND THE CHAPTER IV. THE LAWYER AND THE
LEGAL PROFESSION COURTS CLIENT
CANON 1 - A LAWYER SHALL UPHOLD CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL CANON 10 - A LAWYER OWES CANDOR, CANON 14 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT
THE CONSTITUTION, OBEY THE LAWS TIMES UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS AND GOOD FAITH TO THE REFUSE HIS SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
OF THE LAND AND PROMOTE RESPECT DIGNITY OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION COURT.
FOR LAW OF AND LEGAL PROCESSES. AND SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE
INTEGRATED BAR.
Rule 1.01 - A lawyer shall not engage in Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable Rule 10.01 - A lawyer shall not do any Rule 14.01 - A lawyer shall not decline
unlawful, dishonest, immoral or for knowingly making a false statement falsehood, nor consent to the doing of to represent a person solely on account
deceitful conduct. UDID-C or suppressing a material fact in any in Court; nor shall he mislead, or of the latter's race, sex. creed or status
connection with his application for allow the Court to be misled by any of life, or because of his own opinion
Rule 1.02 - A lawyer shall not counsel or admission to the bar. artifice. regarding the guilt of said person.
abet activities aimed at defiance of the
law or at lessening confidence in the Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support Rule 10.02 - A lawyer shall not Rule 14.02 - A lawyer shall not decline,
legal system. the application for admission to the bar knowingly misquote or misrepresent the except for serious and sufficient cause,
of any person known by him to be contents of a paper, the language or the an appointment as counsel de officio or
Rule 1.03 - A lawyer shall not, for any unqualified in respect to character, argument of opposing counsel, or the as amicus curiae, or a request from the
corrupt motive or interest, encourage education, or other relevant attribute. text of a decision or authority, or Integrated Bar of the Philippines or any
any suit or proceeding or delay any knowingly cite as law a provision of its chapters for rendition of free legal
man's cause. Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in already rendered inoperative by repeal aid.
conduct that adversely reflects on his or amendment, or assert as a fact that
Rule 1.04 - A lawyer shall encourage his fitness to practice law, nor shall he which has not been proved Rule 14.03 - A lawyer may not refuse to
clients to avoid, end or settle a whether in public or private life, behave accept representation of an indigent
controversy if it will admit of a fair in a scandalous manner to the discredit Rule 10.03 - A lawyer shall observe the client unless:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
settlement. of the legal profession. rules of procedure and shall not misuse (a) he is not in a position to carry out
(Every lawyer should act and comport them to defeat the ends of justice. the work effectively or competently;
himself in a manner that promotes (b) he labors under a conflict of interest
public confidence in the integrity of the between him and the prospective client
legal profession [Catu v. Rellosa, or between a present client and the
supra.].) prospective client.
There is no distinction as to whether the
transgression is committed in the Rule 14.04 - A lawyer who accepts the
lawyer’s professional capacity or in his cause of a person unable to pay his
private life or in his private transaction professional fees shall observe the same
because a lawyer may not divide his standard of conduct governing his
personality so as to be an attorney at relations with paying clients.
one time and a mere citizen at another.
The moral turpitude for which an
 attorney may be disbarred may consist
of misconduct in either his professional
or nonprofessional activities, in his
professional and private capacity.
[Royong v. Oblena, A.C. No. No 376
(1963); In Re: Pelaez (1923)].
CANON 2 - A LAWYER SHALL MAKE HIS CANON 8 - A LAWYER SHALL CONDUCT CANON 11 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE CANON 15 - A LAWYER SHALL OBSERVE
LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN AN HIMSELF WITH COURTESY, FAIRNESS AND MAINTAIN THE RESPECT DUE TO CANDOR, FAIRNESS AND LOYALTY IN
EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT MANNER AND CANDOR TOWARDS HIS THE COURTS AND TO JUDICIAL ALL HIS DEALINGS AND TRANSACTIONS
COMPATIBLE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES, AND OFFICERS AND SHOULD INSIST ON WITH HIS CLIENTS.
INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY AND SHALL AVOID HARASSING TACTICS SIMILAR CONDUCT BY OTHERS.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION. AGAINST OPPOSING COUNSEL.
Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, Rule 8.01 - A lawyer shall not, in his Rule 11.01 - A lawyer shall appear in Rule 15.01. - A lawyer, in conferring
except for valid reasons, the cause of professional dealings, use language court properly attired. with a prospective client, shall ascertain
the defenseless or the oppressed. which is abusive, offensive or otherwise as soon as practicable whether the
improper. Rule 11.02 - A lawyer shall punctually matter would involve a conflict with
Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the Rule 8.02 - A lawyer shall not, directly or appear at court hearings. another client or his own interest, and if
lawyer does not accept a case, he shall indirectly, encroach upon the so, shall forthwith inform the
not refuse to render legal advice to the professional employment of another Rule 11.03 - A lawyer shall abstain from prospective client.
person concerned if only to the extent lawyer, however, it is the right of any scandalous, offensive or menacing Rule 15.02.- A lawyer shall be bound by
necessary to safeguard the latter's lawyer, without fear or favor, to give language or behavior before the Courts. the rule on privilege communication in
rights. proper advice and assistance to those respect of matters disclosed to him by a
seeking relief against unfaithful or Rule 11.04 - A lawyer shall not attribute prospective client.
Rule 2.03 - A lawyer shall not do or neglectful counsel. to a Judge motives not supported by the Rule 15.03. - A lawyer shall not
permit to be done any act designed record or have no materiality to the represent conflicting interests except by
primarily to solicit legal business. case. written consent of all concerned given
after a full disclosure of the facts.
Rule 2.04 - A lawyer shall not charge Rule 11.05 - A lawyer shall submit Rule 15.04. - A lawyer may, with the
rates lower than those customarily grievances against a Judge to the proper written consent of all concerned, act as
prescribed unless the circumstances so authorities only mediator, conciliator or arbitrator in
warrant. 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 3 - A LAWYER IN MAKING CANON 9 - A LAWYER SHALL NOT, CANON 12 - A LAWYER SHALL EXERT CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN
KNOWN HIS LEGAL SERVICES SHALL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ASSIST IN EVERY EFFORT AND CONSIDER IT HIS TRUST ALL MONEYS AND PROPERTIES
USE ONLY TRUE, HONEST, FAIR, THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF DUTY TO ASSIST IN THE SPEEDY AND OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY COME INTO
DIGNIFIED AND OBJECTIVE LAW. EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF HIS PROFESSION.
INFORMATION OR STATEMENT OF JUSTICE
FACTS.

Rule 3.01 - A lawyer shall not use or Rule 9.01 - A lawyer shall not delegate Rule 12.01 - A lawyer shall not appear Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for
permit the use of any false, fraudulent, to any unqualified person the for trial unless he has adequately all money or property collected or
misleading, deceptive, undignified, self- performance of any task which by law prepared himself on the law and the received for or from the client.
laudatory or unfair statement or claim may only be performed by a member of facts of his case, the evidence he will
regarding his qualifications or legal the bar in good standing. adduce and the order of its proferrence. Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the
services. He should also be ready with the funds of each client separate and apart
Rule 9.02 - A lawyer shall not divide or original documents for comparison with from his own and those of others kept
Rule 3.02 - In the choice of a firm name, stipulate to divide a fee for legal the copies. by him.
no false, misleading or assumed name services with persons not licensed to
shall be used. The continued use of the practice law, except: Rule 12.02 - A lawyer shall not file Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the
name of a deceased partner is multiple actions arising from the same funds and property of his client when
permissible provided that the firm a) Where there is a pre-existing cause. due or upon demand. However, he shall
indicates in all its communications that agreement with a partner or associate have a lien over the funds and may
said partner is deceased. that, upon the latter's death, money Rule 12.03 - A lawyer shall not, after apply so much thereof as may be
shall be paid over a reasonable period obtaining extensions of time to file necessary to satisfy his lawful fees and
Rule 3.03 - Where a partner accepts of time to his estate or to persons pleadings, memoranda or briefs, let the disbursements, giving notice promptly
public office, he shall withdrawal from specified in the agreement; or period lapse without submitting the thereafter to his client. He shall also
the firm and his name shall be dropped same or offering an explanation for his have a lien to the same extent on all
from the firm name unless the law (b) Where a lawyer undertakes to failure to do so. judgments and executions he has
allows him to practice law currently. complete unfinished legal business of a secured for his client as provided for in
deceased lawyer; or Rule 12.04 - A lawyer shall not unduly the Rules of Court.
Rule 3.04 - A lawyer shall not pay or give delay a case, impede the execution of a
anything of value to representatives of (c) Where a lawyer or law firm includes judgment or misuse Court processes. Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow
the mass media in anticipation of, or in non-lawyer employees in a retirement money from his client unless the client's
return for, publicity to attract legal plan even if the plan is based in whole Rule 12.05 - A lawyer shall refrain from interest are fully protected by the
business. or in part, on a profit sharing agreement talking to his witness during a break or nature of the case or by independent
recess in the trial, while the witness is advice. Neither shall a lawyer lend
still under examination. money to a client except, when in the
interest of justice, he has to advance
Rule 12.06 - A lawyer shall not necessary expenses in a legal matter he
knowingly assist a witness to is handling for the client.
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:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary
(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 4 - A LAWYER SHALL CANON 13 - A LAWYER SHALL RELY CANON 17 - A LAWYER OWES FIDELITY
PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UPON THE MERITS OF HIS CAUSE AND TO THE CAUSE OF HIS CLIENT AND HE
THE LEGAL SYSTEM BY INITIATING OR REFRAIN FROM ANY IMPROPRIETY SHALL BE MINDFUL OF THE TRUST AND
SUPPORTING EFFORTS IN LAW REFORM WHICH TENDS TO INFLUENCE, OR CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM.
AND IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE INFLUENCING THE COURT. CANON 18 - A LAWYER SHALL SERVE
HIS CLIENT WITH COMPETENCE AND
DILIGENCE.
 Rule 13.01 - A lawyer shall not extend Rules 18.01 - A lawyer shall not
extraordinary attention or hospitality to, undertake a legal service which he
nor seek opportunity for cultivating knows or should know that he is not
familiarity with Judges. qualified to render. However, he may
render such service if, with the consent
Rule 13.02 - A lawyer shall not make of his client, he can obtain as
public statements in the media collaborating counsel a lawyer who is
regarding a pending case tending to competent on the matter.
arouse public opinion for or against a
party. Rule 18.02 - A lawyer shall not handle
any legal matter without adequate
Rule 13.03 - A lawyer shall not brook or preparation.
invite interference by another branch or
agency of the government in the normal Rule 18.03 - A lawyer shall not neglect a
course of judicial proceedings. 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 5 - A LAWYER SHALL KEEP CANON 19 - A LAWYER SHALL
ABREAST OF LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS, REPRESENT HIS CLIENT WITH ZEAL
PARTICIPATE IN CONTINUING LEGAL WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW.
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.
Rule 6.01 - The primary duty of a lawyer Rule 19.01 - A lawyer shall employ only
engaged in public prosecution is not to fair and honest means to attain the
convict but to see that justice is done. lawful objectives of his client and shall
The suppression of facts or the not present, participate in presenting or
concealment of witnesses capable of threaten to present unfounded criminal
establishing the innocence of the charges to obtain an improper
accused is highly reprehensible and is advantage in any case or proceeding.
cause for disciplinary action.
Rule 19.02 - A lawyer who has received
Rule 6.02 - A lawyer in the government information that his client has, in the
service shall not use his public position course of the representation,
to promote or advance his private perpetrated a fraud upon a person or
interests, nor allow the latter to tribunal, shall promptly call upon the
interfere with his public duties. client to rectify the same, and failing
which he shall terminate the
Rule 6.03 - A lawyer shall not, after relationship with such client in
leaving government service, accept accordance with the Rules of Court.
engagement or employment in
connection with any matter in which he Rule 19.03 - A lawyer shall not allow his
had intervened while in said service. 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:

(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.