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Ulep v. The Legal Clinic

The respondent, The Legal Clinic, was advertising various legal services through advertisements in newspapers and magazines. These services included securing marriages, divorces, annulments, and assisting with immigration and visa issues. The petitioner claimed these advertisements were unethical and destructive to the legal profession. The Legal Clinic argued they were providing "legal support services" through paralegals using computers rather than practicing law. The Supreme Court held that practicing law includes providing legal advice, preparing legal documents to secure rights, and managing legal matters for clients, regardless of whether a case is in court. Therefore, the services advertised by The Legal Clinic constituted the unauthorized practice of law.

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Gillian Calpito
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152 views2 pages

Ulep v. The Legal Clinic

The respondent, The Legal Clinic, was advertising various legal services through advertisements in newspapers and magazines. These services included securing marriages, divorces, annulments, and assisting with immigration and visa issues. The petitioner claimed these advertisements were unethical and destructive to the legal profession. The Legal Clinic argued they were providing "legal support services" through paralegals using computers rather than practicing law. The Supreme Court held that practicing law includes providing legal advice, preparing legal documents to secure rights, and managing legal matters for clients, regardless of whether a case is in court. Therefore, the services advertised by The Legal Clinic constituted the unauthorized practice of law.

Uploaded by

Gillian Calpito
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ulep v.

The Legal Clinic

FACTS:
Petitioner contends that the advertisements by the respondent are
champterous, unethical, demeaning of the law profession, and
destructive of the confidence of the community in the integrity of the
members of the bar. In its answer, respondent admits the fact of
publication of said advertisement, but claims that it is not engaged in the
practice of law but in the rendering of "legal support services" through
paralegals with the use of modern computers and electronic machines.

The advertisements complained of by herein petitioner are as


follows:
Annex A
SECRET MARRIAGE?
P560.00 for a valid marriage.
Info on DIVORCE. ABSENCE.
ANNULMENT. VISA.
THE Please call: 521-0767 LEGAL 5217232, 5222041 CLINIC, INC. 8:30
am- 6:00 pm 7-Flr. Victoria Bldg., UN Ave., Mla.
Annex B
GUAM DIVORCE.
DON PARKINSON
an Attorney in Guam, is giving FREE BOOKS on Guam Divorce
through The Legal Clinic beginning Monday to Friday during office
hours.
Guam divorce. Annulment of Marriage. Immigration Problems, Visa
Ext. Quota/Non-quota Res. & Special Retiree's Visa. Declaration of
Absence. Remarriage to Filipina Fiancees. Adoption. Investment in
the Phil. US/Foreign Visa for Filipina Spouse/Children.

ISSUE:
Whether or not the services offered by respondent, The Legal Clinic,
Inc., as advertised by it constitutes practice of law

HELD:
Practice of law means any activity, in or out of court, which requires
the application of law, legal procedures, knowledge, training and
experience. To engage in the practice of law is to perform those acts
which are characteristic of the profession. Generally, to practice law is to
give advice or render any kind of service that involves legal knowledge or
skill.
The practice of law is not limited to the conduct of cases in court. It
includes legal advice and counsel, and the preparation of legal
instruments and contract by which legal rights are secured, although such
matter may or may not be pending in a court.

The practice of law is not limited to the conduct of cases or litigation in


court; it embraces the preparation of pleadings and other papers
incident to actions and special proceedings, the management of such
actions and proceedings on behalf of clients before judges and courts.

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