Legal Profession

I. Introduction to Legal Profession

a. Definitions
b. Nature of the Legal Profession
c. History of the Legal Profession
d. Nature of Office of an “Attorney”
e. Distinction between the Legal Profession and Business
f. Supervision and Control

Cases:

In re: Cunanan, 94 Phil. 554 (1954)

In the matter of IBP, 151 Phil. 132 (1973)
Director of Religious Affairs v. Bayot, 74 Phil. 740 (1944)
Cui v. Cui, 11 SCRA 759 (1964)
Alawi v. Alauya, 268 SCRA 628 (1997)

II. Practice of Law

a. Definition
b. Admission to Practice of Law
c. Qualifications
1. Citizenship
2. Residence
3. Age
4. Good Moral Character
5. Legal Education
6. Bar Examination
7. Lawyer’s Oath
d. Who May Practice Law?
1. General Rule
2. Exceptions
3. Relative and Absolute Prohibition

Cases:

People v. Villanueva, 14 SCRA 111 (1965)

Philippine Lawyer’s Associaton v. Agrava, 105 Phil. 173 (1959)
Cayetano v. Monsod, 201 SCRA 210 (1991)
Diao v. Martinez, 7 SCRA 473 (1963)
In re: Argosino, 270 SCRA 26 (1997)
Aguirre v. Rana, Bar Matter No. 1036 (2003)

III. Privileges and Duties of Lawyers

a. Privileges of an Attorney
b. Four-Fold Duties of a Lawyer
c. Duties of Attorneys (Rule 138, Sec. 20)
d. Duty of Counsel de Oficio
e. Duty of a Private Prosecutor
IV. Code of Professional Responsibility

a. The Lawyer and the Society

1. Promote and Respect the Law and Legal Process (Canon 1)

2. Provide Efficient and Convenient Legal Services (Canon 2)
3. Information on Legal Services that is True, Honest, Fair and Dignified (Canon 3)
4. Support for Legal Reforms and Administration of Justice (Canon 4)
5. Participate in the Legal Education Program (Canon 5)
6. Applies to Lawyers in Government Service (Canon 6)

Cases:

Barrios v. Martinez, A.C. No. 4585. November 12, 2004

Ui v. Bonifacio, A.C. No. 3319. June 8, 2000
Figueroa v. Barranco, SBC Case No. 519. July 31, 1997
Guevarra v. Eala, 529 SCRA 1 (2007)
Estrada v. Sandiganbayan, 416 SCRA 465
Saburnido v. Madrono, 366 SCRA 1 (2001)
Ledesma v. Climaco, 57 SCRA 473 (1974)
Khan v. Simbillo, 409 SCRA 299 (2003)
In re Tagorda, 53 Phil 37 (1929)
Ulep v. Legal Clinic, 223 SCRA 378 (1993)
Dacanay v. Baker and McKenzie, 136 SCRA 349 (1985)
B.M. 850, October 2, 2001 (MCLE)
Vitriolo v. Dasig, 400 SCRA 172 (2003)
People v. Pineda, 20 SCRA 748 (1967)
PCGG v. Sandiganbayan, 455 SCRA 526 (2005)

b. The Lawyer and the Legal Profession

1. Upholding the Integrity of the Profession (Canon 7)

2. Lawyer’s Relations with other Lawyers (Canon 8)
3. Preventing Unauthorized Practice of Law (Canon 9)
4. Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Cases:

In re 1989 Elections of the IBP, 178 SCRA 398 (1989)

Santos v. Llamas, 322 SCRA 529 (2000)
Letter of Atty. Cecilio Arevalo, 458 SCRA 209 (2005)
Foodsphere v. Mauricio, A.C. No. 7199 (22 July 2009)
Zaguirre v. Castillo, 398 SCRA 659 (2003)
Camacho v. Pagulayan et al, A.C. No. 4807, March 22, 2000)
Reyes vs. Chiong, Jr., 405 SCRA 212 (2003)
Laput v. Remotigue A.M. No. 219 (1962)
Aguirre v. Rana 403 SCRA 342 (2003)
Alawi v. Alauya 268 SCRA 639 (1997)
Ulep v. Legal Clinic, Inc., 223 SCRA 378 (1993)

c. The Lawyer and the Courts

1. Candor and Fairness to the Courts (Canon 10)

2. Respect Due to the Courts and Judicial Officers (Canon 11)
3. Assisting in the Speedy and Efficient Administration of Justice (Canon 12)
4. Avoiding Impropriety the Influences the Court (Canon 13)

Cases:

Cobb Perez v. Lantin, 24 SCRA 291 (1968)

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Young v. Batuegas, 403 SCRA 123 (2003)
In re Sotto 82 Phil 595 (1949)
In re Almacen, 31 SCRA 562 (1970)
Villasis v. Court of Appeals, 60 SCRA 120
Achacoso v. Court of Appeals, 51 SCRA 424, 1973
Manila Pest Control v. WCC, 25 SCRA 700 (1968)
US v. Ballena, 18 Phil. 382
Austria v. Masaquel, 20 SCRA 1247(1967)
Nestle Phil. v. Sanchez 154 SCRA 542 (1987)
In re de Vera 385 SCRA 285 (2003)
Cruz v. Salva, 105 Phil 1151 (1951)
RE: Request Radio – TV Coverage, A.M. No. 01-4-03-S.C. June 29, 2001
Magsalang v. People, G.R. No. 90083 October 4, 1990

d. The Lawyer and the Client

1. Services to the Needy (Canon 14)

2. Candor, Fairness, and Loyalty to His Clients (Canon 15)
3. Holding in Trust of Money and Properties of Clients (Canon 16)
4. Fidelity to the Cause of the Client (Canon 17)
5. Competence and Diligence (Canon 18)
6. Zeal Within the Bounds of the Law (Canon 19)
7. Fair and Reasonable Fees (Canon 20)
8. Confidence and Secrets of Clients (Canon 21)
9. Withdrawal of Services (Canon 22)

Cases:

Blanza v. Arcangel, 21 SCRA 1 (1967)

Regala v. Sandiganbayan, 262 SCRA 122 (1996)
Dee v. CA 176 SCRA 651(1989)
Nakpil v. Valdez, 286 SCRA 758 (1998)
Ordonio v. Eduarte, 207 SCRA 229 (1992)
Rubias v. Batiller, G.R. No. L- 35702 May 29, 1973
Tuazon v. Tuazon, 88 Phil. 42
Daroy v. Legaspi, A.M. No. 936 July 25, 1975
Barnachea v. Quicho, 399 SCRA 1 (2003)
Cantilller v. Potenciano, 180 SCRA 246 (1989)
Santiago v. Fojas,248 SCRA 68 (1995)
Steimmark v. Mas AC No. 8010 (2009)
Islas v.Platon, 47 Phil. 162
Legarda v. CA, G. R. No. 94457, March 18, 1991
Uy v Tansinin, AC No. 8252, July 21, 2009
Garcia V. Bala, A.C. No. 5039 (2005)
Mapua v.Mendoza, 45 Phil. 424 (1993)
Filinvest Land v.CA, 182 SCRA 664 (1990)
Joven-De Jesus v. PNB, 12 SCRA 447
Republic v. Arro, 150 SCRA630(1987)
Legarda v. Court of Appeals, 195 SCRA 418 (1991)
PHHC v. Tiongco, 12 SCRA 471 (1964)
Rural Bank of Calape Inc. vs. Florido, A.C. No. 5736, June 18, 2010
Pena vs. Aparicio, A.C. No. 7298
Millare vs. Montero, A.C. No. 3283 July 13, 1995
Corpuz v. CA, G.R. No. L-40424, June 30, 1980
Albano v. Coloma, 21 SCRA 411 (1967)
Traders Royal Bank Employees Union-Independent v. NLRC, G.R. No. 120592, March 14, 1997
Nocom vs. Camerino, et al., G.R. No. 182984 (February 10, 2009)
Genato v. Silapan, 453 Phil. 910 (2003)
Hilado v. David, 83 Phil 569 (1949)
Montano vs. IBP, 358 SCRA 1 (2001)
Obando vs. Figueras, 322 SCRA 148 (2000)

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V. Disciplinary Proceedings

a. Liabilities of Lawyers

1. Liability for Damages

2. Liability for Breach of Fiduciary Obligation
3. Liability for Cost of Suit
4. Criminal Liability
5. Contempt of Court

b. Bar Discipline

1. Power to Discipline Errant Lawyer

2. Forms of Disciplinary Measure
3. Suspension, Disbarment, and Reinstatement

Cases:

Quingwa v. Puno, Admin. Case No. 398, Feb. 28, 1967

Amaya v. Tecson, 450 SCRA 510
Aquino v. Mangaoang, 425 SCRA 572
In Re: Ruste, 70 Phil 243
Cui v. Cui, 11 SCRA 755
In re: Adriatico, 17 Phil 324
Prudential Bank v. Benjamin Grecia, 192 SCRA 381
Yap Tan v. Sabandal, 170 SCRA 207
In re: Rusiana, 56 SCRA 240
In re: Rovero, 101 SCRA 803

VI. Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)

a. Bar Matter 850

References:

- 1987 Philippines Constitution

- Rules of Court
- Code of Professional Responsibility
- Legal Profession, Coquia (2003)
- Legal and Judicial Ethics, Agpalo (2009)