Disclosure of relationship or connection, C2S20 CPRA

Section 20, Canon II SECTION 20. Disclosure of relationship or connection. - A lawyer shall, at the first available opportunity, formally disclose on record the lawyer's relationship or connection with the presiding officer of any court, tribunal, or other government agency, or any of its personnel, or the lawyer's partners, associates, or clients, that may serve as a ground for mandatory inhibition in any pending proceeding before such court, tribunal, or other goven1ment agency. (2023 Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA) 1. Disclosure of relationship or connection At the first available opportunity, and if it may serve as a ground for mandatory inhibition in any pending proceeding before such court, tribunal, or other government agency, lawyers are required and duty-bound to formally disclose on record: 1) The lawyer's relationship or connection with the presiding officer of any court, tribunal, or other government agency, or any of its personnel; or 2) The lawyer's partners, associates, or clients. a. Active obligation to disclose The disclosure requirement is an active obligation, which means that lawyers have to do so without need of any prodding, order, or instruction from any one, including the judge, presiding officer, or hearing officer. It should be noted that the obligation here is to disclose, and not necessarily recuse or excuse the lawyer from continuing to handle a case. After making such active disclosure, it is up to the court, trib...