CANON IV

COMPETENCE AND DILIGENCE

A lawyer professionally handling a client’s cause shall, to the best of his or her
ability, observe competence, diligence, commitment, and skill consistent with
the fiduciary nature of the lawyer-client relationship, regardless of the nature of
the legal matter or issues involved, and whether for a fee or pro bono.
Section 1. Competent, efficient and conscientious service. — A lawyer shall
provide legal service that is competent, efficient, and conscientious. A lawyer
shall be thorough in research, preparation, and application of the legal
knowledge and skills necessary for an engagement.
Section 2. Undertaking legal services; collaborating counsel. — A lawyer shall
only undertake legal services he or she can deliver.
With the prior written consent of the client, a lawyer may secure the services of
a collaborating counsel.
Section 3. Diligence and punctuality. — A lawyer shall diligently and
seasonably act on any legal matter entrusted by a client.
A lawyer shall be punctual in all appearances, submissions of pleadings and
documents before any court, tribunal or other government agency, and all
matters professionally referred by the client, including meetings and other
commitments.
Section 4. Diligence in all undertakings. — A lawyer shall observe diligence in
all professional undertakings, and shall not cause or occasion delay in any legal
matter before any court, tribunal, or other agency.
A lawyer shall appear for trial adequately familiar with the law, the facts of the
case, and the evidence to be presented. A lawyer shall also be ready with the
object and documentary evidence, as well as the judicial affidavits of the
witnesses, when required by the rules or the court.
Section 5. Prompt and objective assessment of the merits. — A lawyer shall,
after reasonable inquiry, promptly give an objective assessment of the merits
and probable results of the client’s case.
A lawyer shall explain the viable options to the client to enable an informed
decision regarding the matter.
Section 6. Duty to update the client. — A lawyer shall regularly inform the
client of the status and the result of the matter undertaken, and any action in
connection thereto, and shall respond within a reasonable time to the client’s
request for information.
 Section 7. Extension of time to file. — A lawyer shall avoid asking for an
extension of time to file any pleading, motion, or other court submission, except
when allowed by the Rules of Court or for good cause.
When an extension is obtained, the lawyer shall not let the period lapse without
submitting the pleading, motion, or other court submission, except upon the
client’s decision not to pursue the case any further or for other justifiable cause.
Section 8. Lifelong learning. — A competent lawyer engages in lifelong
learning through the continued development of professional skills.
Section 9. Practice of law concurrent with another profession. — A lawyer who
is engaged in another profession or occupation concurrently with the practice of
law shall expressly provide in the pertinent contract the nature of the services
the lawyer is engaged to perform.
The practice of another profession or occupation shall not jeopardize such
lawyer’s competence, integrity, probity, and independence in rendering legal
services.
Section 10. Non-legal activities. — A lawyer who is engaged in business or
other non-legal profession shall likewise observe the ethical duties and
responsibilities of a lawyer under the CPRA.