GROSS IGNORANCE OF THE LATEST LAWS

Canon 4

A lawyer shall participate in the development of the legal system by initiating or supporting efforts in law reform and
in the improvement of the administration of justice.

“By reason of education and experience, lawyers are especially qualified to recognize deficiencies in the legal system
and to initiate corrective measures therein. Thus, they should participate in proposing and supporting legislation and
programs to improve the system, without regard to the general interests or desires of clients or former clients.”

Canon 5

A lawyer shall keep abreast of legal developments, participate in continuing legal 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
information regarding the law and jurisprudence.

“This duty carries with it the obligation to be well informed of the existing laws, and to keep abreast with legal
developments, recent enactment and jurisprudence. It is imperative that they be conversant with the basic legal
principles. Unless they faithfully comply with such duty, they may not be able to discharge competently and diligently
their obligations as members of the Bar. Worse, they may become susceptible to committing mistakes.” (Dulalia, Jr.
vs. Cruz, 2007)

 Three-fold obligation of a lawyer under this Canon:

o He owes it to himself to continue improving his knowledge of the laws;
o He owes it to his profession to take an active interest in the maintenance of high standards of legal
education; and
o He owes it to the lay public to make the law a part of their social consciousness.

Canon 15

A lawyer shall observe candor, fairness and loyalty in all his dealings and transactions with his clients

Rule 15.07, Canon 15 – Compliance with Laws

A lawyer shall impress upon his client compliance with the laws and the principles of fairness

“Rule 15.07 obliges lawyers to impress upon their clients compliance with the laws and the principle of fairness. To
permit lawyers to resort to unscrupulous practices for the protection of the supposed rights of their clients is to defeat
one of the purposes of the State, the administration of justice. While lawyers owe their entire devotion to the interest
of their clients and zeal in the defense of their client’s right, they should not forget that they are, first and foremost,
officers of the court, bound to exert every effort to assist in the speedy and efficient administration of justice.” (Suzuki
vs. Tiamson, 2005)