LAWYER’S OATH before the Supreme Court, be allowed to continue such practice after

taking the following oath of office:

I___________ of ___________ do solemnly swear that I will maintain
allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines; I will support its I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., having been permitted to continue
Constitution and obey laws as well as the legal orders of the duly in the practice of law in the Philippines, do solemnly swear that I
constituted authorities therein; I will do no falsehood, nor consent to recognize the supreme authority of the Republic of the Philippines; I
the doing of any court; I will not wittingly nor willingly promote or sue will support its Constitution and obey the laws as well as the legal
any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to the orders of the duly constituted authorities therein; I will do no
same; I will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly
myself as a lawyer according to the best of my knowledge and or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, nor
discretion with all good fidelity as well to the courts as to my clients; give aid nor consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or
and I impose upon myself this voluntary obligations without any malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best of
mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So help me God. may knowledge and discretion with all good fidelity as well as to the
courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself this voluntary
RULE 138 obligation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So
help me God.
Attorneys and Admission to Bar
Section 4. Requirements for applicants from other jurisdictions. —
Section 1. Who may practice law. — Any person heretofore duly Applicants for admission who, being Filipino citizens, are enrolled
admitted as a member of the bar, or hereafter admitted as such in attorneys in good standing in the Supreme Court of the United States
accordance with the provisions of this rule, and who is in good and or in any circuit court of appeals or district court therein, or in the
regular standing, is entitled to practice law. highest court of any State or Territory of the United States, and who
can show by satisfactory certificates that they have practiced at least
Section 2. Requirements for all applicants for admission to the bar. — five years in any of said courts, that such practice began before July
Every applicant for admission as a member of the bar must be a 4, 1946, and that they have never been suspended or disbarred, may,
citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one years of age, of good in the discretion of the Court, be admitted without examination.
moral character, and resident of the Philippines; and must produce
before the Supreme Court satisfactory evidence of good moral Section 5. Additional requirements for other applicants. — All
character, and that no charges against him, involving moral turpitude, applicants for admission other than those referred to in the two
have been filed or are pending in any court in the Philippines. preceding section shall, before being admitted to the examination,
satisfactorily show that they have regularly studied law for four years,
Section 3. Requirements for lawyers who are citizens of the United and successfully completed all prescribed courses, in a law school or
States of America. — Citizens of the United States of America who, university, officially approved and recognized by the Secretary of
before July 4, 1946, were duly licensed members of the Philippine Education. The affidavit of the candidate, accompanied by a certificate
Bar, in active practice in the courts of the Philippines and in good and from the university or school of law, shall be filed as evidence of such
regular standing as such may, upon satisfactory proof of those facts facts, and further evidence may be required by the court.
No applicant shall be admitted to the bar examinations unless he has examinations in the following subjects: Civil Law; Labor and Social
satisfactorily completed the following courses in a law school or Legislation; Mercantile Law; Criminal Law; Political Law
university duly recognized by the government: civil law, commercial (Constitutional Law, Public Corporations, and Public Officers);
law, remedial law, criminal law, public and private international law, International Law (Private and Public); Taxation; Remedial Law (Civil
political law, labor and social legislation, medical jurisprudence, Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence); Legal Ethics and
taxation and legal ethics. Practical Exercises (in Pleadings and Conveyancing).

Section 6. Pre-Law. — No applicant for admission to the bar Section 10. Bar examination, by questions and answers, and in
examination shall be admitted unless he presents a certificate that he writing. — Persons taking the examination shall not bring papers,
has satisfied the Secretary of Education that, before he began the books or notes into the examination rooms. The questions shall be the
study of law, he had pursued and satisfactorily completed in an same for all examinees and a copy thereof, in English or Spanish,
authorized and recognized university or college, requiring for shall be given to each examinee. Examinees shall answer the
admission thereto the completion of a four-year high school course, questions personally without help from anyone.
the course of study prescribed therein for a bachelor's degree in arts
or sciences with any of the following subjects as major or field of Upon verified application made by an examinee stating that his
concentration: political science, logic, english, spanish, history and penmanship is so poor that it will be difficult to read his answers
economics. without much loss of time., the Supreme Court may allow such
examinee to use a typewriter in answering the questions. Only
Section 7. Time for filing proof of qualifications. — All applicants for noiseless typewriters shall be allowed to be used.
admission shall file with the clerk of the Supreme Court the evidence
required by section 2 of this rule at least fifteen (15) days before the The committee of bar examiner shall take such precautions as are
beginning of the examination. If not embraced within section 3 and 4 necessary to prevent the substitution of papers or commission of
of this rule they shall also file within the same period the affidavit and other frauds. Examinees shall not place their names on the
certificate required by section 5, and if embraced within sections 3 examination papers. No oral examination shall be given.
and 4 they shall exhibit a license evidencing the fact of their
admission to practice, satisfactory evidence that the same has not Section 11. Annual examination. — Examinations for admission to the
been revoked, and certificates as to their professional standing. bar of the Philippines shall take place annually in the City of Manila.
Applicants shall also file at the same time their own affidavits as to They shall be held in four days to be disignated by the chairman of the
their age, residence, and citizenship. committee on bar examiners. The subjects shall be distributed as
follows: First day: Political and International Law (morning) and Labor
Section 8. Notice of Applications. — Notice of applications for and Social Legislation (afternoon); Second day: Civil Law (morning)
admission shall be published by the clerk of the Supreme Court in and Taxation (afternoon); Third day: Mercantile Law (morning) and
newspapers published in Pilipino, English and Spanish, for at least ten Criminal Law (afternoon); Fourth day: Remedial Law (morning) and
(10) days before the beginning of the examination. legal Ethics and Practical Exercises (afternoon).

Section 9. Examination; subjects. — Applicants, not otherwise Section 12. Committee of examiners. — Examinations shall be
provided for in sections 3 and 4 of this rule, shall be subjected to conducted by a committee of bar examiners to be appointed by the
Supreme Court. This committee shall be composed of a Justice of the fourth year review classes as well as attended a pre-bar review
Supreme Court, who shall act as chairman, and who shall be course in a recognized law school.
designated by the court to serve for one year, and eight members of
the bar of the Philippines, who shall hold office for a period of one The professors of the individual review subjects attended by the
year. The names of the members of this committee shall be published candidates under this rule shall certify under oath that the candidates
in each volume of the official reports. have regularly attended classes and passed the subjects under the
same conditions as ordinary students and the ratings obtained by
Section 13. Disciplinary measures. — No candidate shall endeavor to them in the particular subject.
influence any member of the committee, and during examination the
candidates shall not communicate with each other nor shall they give Section 17. Admission and oath of successful applicants. — An
or receive any assistance. The candidate who violates this provisions, applicant who has passed the required examination, or has been
or any other provision of this rule, shall be barred from the otherwise found to be entitled to admission to the bar, shall take and
examination, and the same to count as a failure against him, and subscribe before the Supreme Court the corresponding oath of office.
further disciplinary action, including permanent disqualification, may
be taken in the discretion of the court. Section 18. Certificate. — The supreme Court shall thereupon admit
the applicant as a member of the bar for all the courts of the
Section 14. Passing average. — In order that a candidate may be Philippines, and shall direct an order to be entered to that effect upon
deemed to have passed his examinations successfully, he must have its records, and that a certificate of such record be given to him by the
obtained a general average of 75 per cent in all subjects, without clerk of court, which certificate shall be his authority to practice.
falling below 50 per cent in any subjects. In determining the average,
the subjects in the examination shall be given the following relative Section 19. Attorney's roll. — The clerk of the Supreme Court shall
weights: Civil Law, 15 per cent; Labor and Social Legislation, 10 per kept a roll of all attorneys admitted to practice, which roll shall be
cent; Mercantile Law, 15 per cent; Criminal Law; 10 per cent: Political signed by the person admitted when he receives his certificate.
and International Law, 15 per cent; Taxation, 10 per cent; Remedial
Law, 20 per cent; Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises, 5 per cent. Section 20. Duties of attorneys. — It is the duty of an attorney:

Section 15. Report of the committee; filing of examination papers. — (a) To maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and to
Not later than February 15th after the examination, or as soon support the Constitution and obey the laws of the Philippines.
thereafter as may be practicable, the committee shall file its report on
the result of such examination. The examination papers and notes of (b) To observe and maintain the respect due to the courts of justice
the committee shall be filed with the clerk and may there be examined and judicial officers;
by the parties in interest, after the court has approved the report.
(c) To counsel or maintain such actions or proceedings only as
Section 16. Failing candidates to take review course. — Candidates appear to him to be just, and such defenses only as he believes to be
who have failed the bar examinations for three times shall be honestly debatable under the law.
disqualified from taking another examination unless they show the
satisfaction of the court that they have enrolled in and passed regular
(d) To employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to being employed, unless by leave of the court, may be punished for
him, such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and contempt as an officer of the court who has misbehaved in his official
never seek to mislead the judge or any judicial officer by an artifice or transactions.
false statement of fact or law;
Section 22. Attorney who appears in lower court presumed to
(e) To maintain inviolate the confidence, and at every peril to himself, represent client on appeal. — An attorney who appears de parte in a
to preserve the secrets of his client, and to accept no compensation in case before a lower court shall be presumed to continue representing
connection with his client's business except from him or with his his client on appeal, unless he files a formal petition withdrawing his
knowledge and approval; appearance in the appellate court.

(f) To abstain from all offensive personality and to advance no fact Section 23. Authority of attorneys to bind clients. — Attorneys have
prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless authority to bind their clients in any case by any agreement in relation
required by the justice of the cause with which he is charged; thereto made in writing, and in taking appeals, and in all matters of
ordinary judicial procedure. But they cannot, without special authority,
(g) Not to encourage either the commencement or the continuance of compromise their client's litigation, or receive anything in discharge of
an action or proceeding, or delay any man's cause, from any corrupt a client's claim but the full amount in cash.
motive or interest;
Section 24. Compensation of attorneys; agreement as to fees. — An
(h) Never to reject, for any consideration personal to himself, the attorney shall be entitled to have and recover from his client no more
cause of the defenseless or oppressed; than a reasonable compensation for his services, with a view to the
importance of the subject matter of the controversy, the extent of the
(i) In the defense of a person accused of crime, by all fair and services rendered, and the professional standing of the attorney. No
honorable means, regardless of his personal opinion as to the guilt of court shall be bound by the opinion of attorneys as expert witnesses
the accused, to present every defense that the law permits, to the end as to the proper compensation, but may disregard such testimony and
that no person may be deprived of life or liberty, but by due process of base its conclusion on its own professional knowledge. A written
law. contract for services shall control the amount to be paid therefor
unless found by the court to be unconscionable or unreasonable.
Section 21. Authority of attorney to appear. — an attorney is
presumed to be properly authorized to represent any cause in which Section 25. Unlawful retention of client's funds; contempt. — When an
he appears, and no written power of attorney is required to authorize attorney unjustly retains in his hands money of his client after it has
him to appear in court for his client, but the presiding judge may, on been demanded, he may be punished for contempt as an officer of
motion of either party and on reasonable grounds therefor being the Court who has misbehaved in his official transactions; but
shown, require any attorney who assumes the right to appear in a proceedings under this section shall not be a bar to a criminal
case to produce or prove the authority under which he appears, and prosecution.
to disclose, whenever pertinent to any issue, the name of the person
who employed him, and may thereupon make such order as justice Section 26. Change of attorneys. — An attorney may retire at any
requires. An attorneys wilfully appear in court for a person without time from any action or special proceeding, by the written consent of
his client filed in court. He may also retire at any time from an action
or special proceeding, without the consent of his client, should the Section 29. Upon suspension by the Court of Appeals or Court of First
court, on notice to the client and attorney, and on hearing, determine Instance, further proceedings in Supreme Court. — Upon such
that he ought to be allowed to retire. In case of substitution, the name suspension, the Court of Appeals or the Court of First Instance shall
of the attorney newly employed shall be entered on the docket of the forthwith transmit to the Supreme Court a certified copy of the order of
court in place of the former one, and written notice of the change shall suspension and a full statement of the facts upon which the same was
be given to the advance party. based. Upon the receipt of such certified copy and statement, the
Supreme Court shall make a full investigation of the facts involved
A client may at any time dismiss his attorney or substitute another in and make such order revoking or extending the suspension, or
his place, but if the contract between client and attorney has been removing the attorney from his office as such, as the facts warrant.
reduced to writing and the dismissal of the attorney was without
justifiable cause, he shall be entitled to recover from the client the full Section 30. Attorney to be heard before removal or suspension. — No
compensation stipulated in the contract. However, the attorney may, attorney shall be removed or suspended from the practice of his
in the discretion of the court, intervene in the case to protect his rights. profession, until he has had full opportunity upon reasonable notice to
For the payment of his compensation the attorney shall have a lien answer the charges against him, to produce witnesses in his own
upon all judgments for the payment of money, and executions issued behalf, and to be heard by himself or counsel. But if upon reasonable
in pursuance of such judgment, rendered in the case wherein his notice he fails to appear and answer the accusation, the court may
services had been retained by the client. proceed to determine the matter ex parte.

Section 27. Attorneys removed or suspended by Supreme Court on Section 31. Attorneys for destitute litigants. — A court may assign an
what grounds. — A member of the bar may be removed or suspended attorney to render professional aid free of charge to any party in a
from his office as attorney by the Supreme Court for any deceit, case, if upon investigation it appears that the party is destitute and
malpractice, or other gross misconduct in such office, grossly immoral unable to employ an attorney, and that the services of counsel are
conduct, or by reason of his conviction of a crime involving moral necessary to secure the ends of justice and to protect the rights of the
turpitude, or for any violation of the oath which he is required to take party. It shall be the duty of the attorney so assigned to render the
before the admission to practice, or for a wilfull disobedience of any required service, unless he is excused therefrom by the court for
lawful order of a superior court, or for corruptly or willful appearing as sufficient cause shown.
an attorney for a party to a case without authority so to do. The
practice of soliciting cases at law for the purpose of gain, either Section 32. Compensation for attorneys de oficio. — Subject to
personally or through paid agents or brokers, constitutes malpractice. availability of funds as may be provided by the law the court may, in
its discretion, order an attorney employed as counsel de oficio to be
Section 28. Suspension of attorney by the Court of Appeals or a Court compensates in such sum as the court may fix in accordance with
of First Instance. — The Court of Appeals or a Court of First Instance section 24 of this rule. Whenever such compensation is allowed, it
may suspend an attorney from practice for any of the causes named shall be not less than thirty pesos (P30) in any case, nor more than
in the last preceding section, and after such suspension such attorney the following amounts: (1) Fifty pesos (P50) in light felonies; (2) One
shall not practice his profession until further action of the Supreme hundred pesos (P100) in less grave felonies; (3) Two hundred pesos
Court in the premises.
(P200) in grave felonies other than capital offenses; (4) Five Hundred client and to the adverse party; and he shall have the same right and
pesos (P500) in capital offenses. power over such judgments and executions as his client would have
to enforce his lien and secure the payment of his just fees and
Section 33. Standing in court of person authorized to appear for disbursements.
Government. — Any official or other person appointed or designated
in accordance with law to appear for the Government of the
Philippines shall have all the rights of a duly authorized member of the
bar to appear in any case in which said government has an interest
direct or indirect.

Section 34. By whom litigation conducted. — In the court of a justice

of the peace a party may conduct his litigation in person, with the aid
of an agent or friend appointed by him for the purpose, or with the aid
an attorney. In any other court, a party may conduct his litigation
personally or by aid of an attorney, and his appearance must be either
personal or by a duly authorized member of the bar.

Section 35. Certain attorneys not to practice. — No judge or other

official or employee of the superior courts or of the Office of the
Solicitor General, shall engage in private practice as a member of the
bar or give professional advice to clients.

Section 36. Amicus Curiae. — Experienced and impartial attorneys

may be invited by the Court to appear as amici curiae to help in the
disposition of issues submitted to it.

Section 37. Attorneys' liens. — An attorney shall have a lien upon the
funds, documents and papers of his client which have lawfully come
into his possession and may retain the same until his lawful fees and
disbursements have been paid, and may apply such funds to the
satisfaction thereof. He shall also have a lien to the same extent upon
all judgments for the payment of money, and executions issued in
pursuance of such judgments, which he has secured in a litigation of
his client, from and after the time when he shall have the caused a
statement of his claim of such lien to be entered upon the records of
the court rendering such judgment, or issuing such execution, and
shall have the caused written notice thereof to be delivered to his
 RULE 139
Section 5. Complaint of the Solicitor General. Answer of respondent.
Disbarment or Suspension of Attorneys — If the Solicitor General finds sufficient ground to proceed against
the respondent, he shall file the corresponding complaint,
Section 1. Motion or complaint. — Proceedings for the removal or accompanied with all the evidence introduced in his investigation, with
suspension of attorneys may be taken by the Supreme Court on its the Supreme Court, and the respondent shall be served by the clerk
own motion or upon the complaint under oath of another in writing. of the Supreme Court with a copy of the complaint with direction to
The complaint shall set out distinctly, clearly, and concisely the facts answer the same within fifteen (15) days.
complained of, supported by affidavits, if any, of persons having
personal knowledge of the facts therein alleged and shall be Section 6. Evidence produced before Solicitor General available. —
accompanied with copies of such documents as may substantiate The evidence produced before the Solicitor General in his
said facts. investigation may be considered by the Supreme Court in the final
decision of the case, if the respondent had an opportunity to object
Section 2. Service or dismissal. — If the complaint appears to merit and cross-examine. If in the respondent's answer no statement is
action, a copy thereof shall be served upon the respondent, requiring made as to any intention of introducing additional evidence, the case
him to answer the same within ten (10) days from the date of service. shall be set down for hearing, upon the filing of such answer or upon
If the complaint does not merit action, or if the answer shows to the the expiration of the time to file the same.
satisfaction of the Supreme Court that the complaint is not
meritorious, the same shall be dismissed. Section 7. Commissioner to investigate and recommend. Rules of
evidence. — Upon receipt of the respondent's answer, wherein a
Section 3. Investigation by Solicitor General. — Upon the issues statement is made as to his desire to introduce additional evidence,
raised by the complaint and answer, or upon failure of the respondent the case shall be referred to a commissioner who, in the discretion of
to answer, the case shall be referred to the Solicitor General for the court, may be the clerk of the Supreme Court, a judge of first
investigation to determine if there is sufficient ground to proceed with instance, or an attorney-at-law for investigation, report, and
the prosecution of the respondent. In the investigation conducted by recommendation. The Solicitor General or his representative shall
the Solicitor General, the respondent shall be given full opportunity to appear before the commissioner to conduct the prosecution. The
defend himself, to produce witnesses in his own behalf, and to be respondent shall be given full opportunity to defend himself, to
heard by himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable notice, produce additional evidence in his own behalf, and to be heard by
the respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall proceed ex himself and counsel. However, if upon reasonable notice the
parte. respondent fails to appear, the investigation shall proceed ex parte.
The rules of evidence shall be applicable to proceedings of this
Section 4. Report of the Solicitor General. — Based upon the nature.
evidence adduced at the hearing, if the Solicitor General finds no
sufficient ground to proceed against the respondent, he shall submit a Section 8. Report of commissioner and hearing. — Upon receipt of
report to the Supreme Court containing his findings of fact and the report of the commissioner, copies of which shall be furnished the
conclusion, whereupon the respondent shall be exonerated unless the Solicitor General and the respondent, the case shall be set down for
court orders differently.
hearing before the court, following which the case shall be considered
submitted to the court for its final determination.

Section 9. Procedure in Court of Appeals or Courts of First Instance.

— As far as may be applicable, the procedure above outlined shall
likewise govern the filing and investigation of complaints against
attorneys in the Court of Appeals or in Courts of First Instance. In
case of suspension of the respondent, the judge of the court of first
instance or Justice of the Court of Appeals shall forthwith transmit to
the Supreme Court a certified copy of the order of suspension and a
full statement of the facts upon which the same is based.

Section 10. Confidential. — Proceedings against attorneys shall be

private and confidential, except that the final order of the court shall
be made public as in other cases coming before the court.
 New Code of Judicial Conduct Section 5

Canon 1 Judges shall not only be free from inappropriate connections with, and
Independence influence by, the executive and legislative branches of government,
Judicial independence is a pre-requisite to the rule of law and a but must also appear to be free therefrom to a reasonable observer.
fundamental guarantee of a fair trial. A judge shall therefore uphold
and exemplify judicial independence in both its individual and Section 6
institutional aspects.
Judges shall be independent in relation to society in general and in
Section 1 relation to the particular parties to a dispute which he or she has to
adjudicate.
Judges shall exercise the judicial function independently on the basis
of their assessment of the facts and in accordance with a Section 7
conscientious understanding of the law, free of any extraneous
influence, inducement, pressure, threat or interference, direct or Judges shall encourage and uphold safeguards for the discharge of
indirect, from any quarter or for any reason. judicial duties in order to maintain and enhance the institutional and
operational independence of the judiciary.
Section 2
Section 8
In performing judicial duties, Judges shall be independent from judicial
colleagues in respect of decisions which the judge is obliged to make Judges shall exhibit and promote high standards of judicial conduct in
independently. order to reinforce public confidence in the judiciary which is
fundamental to the maintenance of judicial independence.
Section 3
Canon 2
Judges shall refrain from influencing in any manner the outcome of Integrity
litigation or dispute pending before another court or administrative Integrity is essential not only to the proper discharge of the judicial
agency. office but also to the personal demeanor of judges.

Section 4 Section 1

Judges shall not allow family, social, or other relationships to influence Judges shall ensure that not only is their conduct above reproach, but
judicial conduct or judgment. The prestige of judicial office shall not be that it is perceived to be so in the view of a reasonable observer.
used or lent to advance the private interests of others, nor convey or
permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special Section 2
position to influence the judge.
The behavior and conduct of judges must reaffirm the people's faith in Judges shall not knowingly, while a proceeding is before, or could
the integrity of the judiciary. Justice musty not merely be done but come before, them make any comment that might reasonably be
must also be seen to be done. expected to affect the outcome of such proceeding or impair the
manifest fairness of the process. Nor shall judges make any comment
Section 3 in public or otherwise that might affect the fair trial of any person or
issue.
Judges should take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures
against lawyers or court personnel for unprofessional conduct of Section 5
which the judge may have become aware.
Judges shall disqualify themselves from participating in any
Canon 3 proceedings in which they are unable to decide the matter impartially
Impartiality or in which it may appear to a reasonable observer that they are
Impartiality is essential to the proper discharge of the judicial office. It unable to decide the matter impartially. Such proceedings include, but
applies not only to the decision itself but also to the process by which are not limited to, instances where
the decision to made.
The judge has actual bias or prejudice concerning a party or personal
Section 1 knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceedings;

Judges shall perform their judicial duties without favor, bias or The judge previously served as a lawyer or was a material witness in
prejudice. the matter in controversy;

Section 2 The judge, or a member of his or her family, has an economic interest
in the outcome of the matter in controversy;
Judges shall ensure that his or her conduct, both in and out of court,
maintains and enhances the confidence of the public, the legal The judge served as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee or
profession and litigants in the impartiality of the judge and of the lawyer in the case or matter in controversy, or a former associate of
judiciary. the judge served as counsel during their association, or the judge or
lawyer was a material witness therein;
Section 3
The judge's ruling in a lower court is the subject of review;
Judges shall, so far as is reasonable, so conduct themselves as to
minimize the occasions on which it will be necessary for them to be The judge is related by consanguinity or affinity to a party litigant
disqualified from hearing or deciding cases. within the sixth civil degree or to counsel within the fourth civil degree;
or
Section 4
The judge knows that his or her spouse or child has a financial
interest, as heir, legatee, creditor, fiduciary, or otherwise, in the
subject matter in controversy or in a party to the proceeding, or any which might reasonably give rise to the suspicion or appearance of
other interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of favoritism or partiality.
the proceedings;
Section 4
Section 6
Judges shall not participate in the determination of a case in which
A judge disqualified as stated above may, instead of withdrawing from any member of their family represents a litigant or is associated in any
the proceeding, disclose on the records the basis of disqualification. If, manner with the case.
based on such disclosure, the parties and lawyers independently of
the judge's participation, all agree in writing that the reason for the Section 5
inhibition is immaterial or unsubstantial, the judge may then
participate in the proceeding. The agreement, signed by all parties Judges shall not allow the use of their residence by a member of the
and lawyers, shall be incorporated in the record of the proceedings. legal profession to receive clients of the latter or of other members of
the legal profession.
Canon 4
Propriety Section 6
Propriety and the appearance of propriety are essential to the
performance of all the activities of a judge. Judges, like any other citizen, are entitled to freedom of expression,
belief, association and assembly, but in exercising such rights, they
Section 1 shall always conduct themselves in such a manner as to preserve the
dignity of the judicial office and the impartiality and independence of
Judges shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in the judiciary.
all of their activities.
Section 7
Section 2
Judges shall inform themselves about their personal fiduciary financial
As a subject of constant public scrutiny, judges must accept personal interests and shall make reasonable efforts to be informed about the
restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary financial interests of members of their family.
citizen and should do so freely and willingly. In particular, judges
conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the dignity of the Section 8
judicial office.
Judges shall not use or lend the prestige of the judicial office to
Section 3 advance their private interests, or those of a member of their family or
of anyone else, nor shall they convey or permit others to convey the
Judges shall, in their personal relations with individual members of the impression that anyone is in a special position improperly to influence
legal profession who practice regularly in their court, avoid situations them in the performance of judicial duties.
Section 9 as last updated by OCA Cir. 103-06 (2006) Section 14

Confidential information acquired by judges in their judicial capacity Judges shall not knowingly permit court staff or others subject to their
shall not be used or disclosed for any other purpose NOT related to influence, direction or authority, to ask for, or accept, any gift,
their judicial duties. bequest, loan or favor in relation to anything done or to be done or
omitted to be done in connection with their duties or functions.
Section 10
Section 15
Subject to the proper performance of judicial duties, judges may:
Subject to law and to any legal requirements of public disclosure,
Write, lecture, teach and participate in activities concerning the law, judges may receive a token gift, award or benefit as appropriate to the
the legal system, the administration of justice or related matters; occasion on which it is made provided that such gift, award or benefit
might not reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge
Appear at a public hearing before an official body concerned with in the performance of judicial duties or otherwise give rise to an
matters relating to the law, the legal system, the administration of appearance of partiality.
justice or related matters;
Canon 5
Engage in other activities if such activities do not detract from the Equality
dignity of the judicial office or otherwise interfere with the performance Ensuring equality of treatment to all before the courts is essential to
of judicial duties. the due performance of the judicial office.

Section 11 Section 1

Judges shall not practice law whilst the holder of judicial office. Judges shall be aware of, and understand, diversity in society and
differences arising from various sources, including but not limited to
Section 12 race, color, sex, religion, national origin, caste, disability, age, marital
status, sexual orientation, social and economic status and other like
Judges may form or join associations of judges or participate in other causes.
organizations representing the interests of judges.
Section 2
Section 13
Judges shall not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or
Judges and members of their families shall neither ask for, nor accept, conduct, manifest bias or prejudice towards any person or group on
any gift, bequest, loan or favor in relation to anything done or to be irrelevant grounds.
done or omitted to be done by him or her in connection with the
performance of judicial duties. Section 3
Judges shall carry out judicial duties with appropriate consideration for Judges shall take reasonable steps to maintain and enhance their
all persons, such as the parties, witnesses, lawyers, court staff and knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for the proper
judicial colleagues, without differentiation on any irrelevant ground, performance of judicial duties, taking advantage for this purpose of
immaterial to the proper performance of such duties. the training and other facilities which should be made available, under
judicial control, to judges.
Section 4
Section 4
Judges shall not knowingly permit court staff or others subject to his
or her influence, direction or control to differentiate between persons Judges shall keep themselves informed about relevant developments
concerned, in a matter before the judge on any irrelevant ground. of international law, including international conventions and other
instruments establishing human rights norms.
Section 5
Section 5
Judges shall require lawyers in proceedings before the court to refrain
from manifesting, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based on Judges shall perform all judicial duties, including the delivery of
irrelevant grounds, except such as are legally relevant to an issue in reserved decisions, efficiently, fairly and with reasonable promptness.
proceedings and may be the subject of legitimate advocacy.
Section 6
Canon 6
Competence and Diligence Judges shall maintain order and decorum in all proceedings before
Competence and diligence are prerequisites to the due performance the court and be patient, dignified and courteous in relation to litigants,
of judicial office. witnesses, lawyers and others with whom the judge deals in an official
capacity. Judges shall require similar conduct of legal representatives,
Section 1 court staff and others subject to their influence, direction or control.

The judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all other activities. Section 7

Section 2 Judges shall not engage in conduct incompatible with the diligent
discharge of judicial duties.
Judges shall devote their professional activity to judicial duties, which
include not only the performance of judicial functions and Definitions
responsibilities in court and the making of decisions, but also other
tasks relevant to the judicial office or the court's operations. In this Code, unless the context otherwise permits or requires, the
following meanings shall be attributed to the words used:
Section 3
"Court staff" includes the personal staff of the judge including law
clerks.
"Judge" means any person exercising judicial power, however
designated.

"Judge's family" includes a judge's spouse, son, daughter, son-in-law,

daughter-in-law, and any other relative by consanguinity or affinity
within the sixth civil degree, or person who is a companion or
employee of the judge and who lives in the judge's household.