Harassing or threatening conduct, C2S6 CPRA

Section 6, Canon II SECTION 6. Harassing or threatening conduct. - A lawyer shall not harass or threaten a fellow lawyer, the latter's client or principal, a witness, or any official or employee of a court, tribunal, or other government agency. (2023 Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA) 1. Harassing or threatening conduct a. No to harassment or threats Lawyers should avoid harassing or threatening: 1) Fellow lawyers; 2) Clients or principals of another lawyer; 3) Witnesses; or 4) Any official or employee of a court, tribunal, or other government agency. Lawyers should treat their opposing counsels and other lawyers with courtesy, dignity and civility. A great part of their comfort, as well as of their success at the bar, depends upon their relations with their professional brethren. Since they deal constantly with each other, they must treat one another with trust and respect. Any undue ill feeling between clients should not influence counsels in their conduct and demeanor toward each other. Mutual bickering, unjustified recriminations and offensive behavior among lawyers not only detract from the dignity of the legal profession, but also constitute highly unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action. (Reyes v. Chiong, A.C. No. 5148, 01 July 2003) Where a lawyer handling a criminal case instituted a civil complaint impleading the other party’s counsel and the prosecutor to gain leverage, he was held liable for harassing opposing counsel. It...