Legal Judicial Ethics

Education is a right, but later on it becomes a privilege. Once it becomes a privilege, it will
test how well youve grown to handle responsibilities take this from a law student. As you
entered law school, you are inclined to devote your time on studying lessons religiously. It
is way different from your pre-law subjects. A legal saying goes, law is a jealous mistress,
and requires a long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling favors, but by lavish
homage.
For the three (3) years of my study in this law school, I have encountered different
discussions with our efficient mentors. From studying, oral recitations, reporting of cases,
legal writings, exhaustive exams, to highlighting almost all pages because it seems like
everything is important this paradigm is so elementary in the field of LLB. We are taught
with different subjects.
One subject that ignites me to write this article is about the Legal Judicial Ethics. It is
inherent that every graduate of this Bachelors degree had passed his Legal Ethics lesson. It
is a Bar subject, a three-unit subject that comes only once in the law curriculum. There is no
more review class on it when you reach fourth year. The next time youll encounter this is
during your actual review in preparation of the Bar Examination.
Many had said that it is easy to pass the legal ethics which is the last subject to be taken
during the bar examination. But come to think of it, an easy three unit bar subject yet
many , in the practice of law, were reprimanded because of failure to perform their ethical
duties. Worst, some were even disbarred.
A lawyer shall at all times uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession. The bar
should maintain a high standard of legal proficiency as well as of honesty and fair dealing. A
lawyer brings honor to the legal profession by faithfully performing his duties to society, to
the bar, to the courts and to his clients. To this end a member of the legal fraternity should
refrain from doing any act which might lessen in any degree the confidence and trust
reposed by the public in the fidelity, honesty and integrity of the legal profession. 1
Yes! Legal ethics is only a three unit subject but its application is so broad that even
members of the bar must be prudent enough with their dealings or demeanor. Perhaps it is
easy to study this subject but to apply it, comes with an utmost passion. Every time I see
lawyers with good standing inspires me to fulfill my someday. Looking at them makes me
wonder how far theyve come and grown just to become what they are now. It is just
frustrating to know that although there are a lot of successful well-rounded lawyers, some
are misguided. Instead of representing and handling cases of others in court, some are
hampered because there are still pending cases that they themselves are the respondent.
Isnt that a great remorse? Isnt that a disgrace to the membership of the bar with an
outstanding reputation?
1

Marcelo v. Atty. Adriano S. Javier Sr., Adm. Case No. 3248, 18 September 1992, 214 SCRA 1.

Inclined with the broad knowledge of the law and its application, lawyers are also indulged
to educate their clients. They should not abuse their authority to mislead justice. Instead,
every lawyer should inculcate in his mind that it is a calling with an adamant principle to
extend help to the oppressed and serve in the administration of justice.
A humbling experience in the study of law starts in the four walls of the classroom and it
should not stop there. It should be carried on outside even to the four walls of the
courtroom. It is a privilege in a sense that it can be taken away from anybody anytime. It
becomes a right when you abide by the qualifications to practice law -to put into actual
practice the knowledge and wisdom that have been pondered and taught. Law is the love of
philosophy and not everybody is given the privilege and right to practice it.
The great thing about every lawyer is the judicial ethics behind him. Every graduate of law
school or even every lawyer should be pleased because once upon a time, they happened to
study and were taught how to apply this judicial ethical conduct. I guess it would suffice to
say that in lieu of the Judicial Ethics subject, it is pronounced as LAWYER not LIAR.