Paralegal services; lawyer’s responsibility, C2S34 CPRA

Section 34, Canon II SECTION 34. Paralegal services; lawyer's responsibility.-.A paralegal is one who performs tasks that require familiarity with legal concepts, employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity for non-diagnostic and non­ advisory work in relation to legal matters delegated by such lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity. A lawyer must direct or supervise a paralegal in the performance of the latter's delegated duties. The lawyer's duty of confidentiality shall also extend to the services rendered by the paralegal, who is equally bound to keep the privilege. (2023 Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA) 1. Paralegal services; lawyer's responsibility a. Direct or supervise paralegal A paralegal - refers to “one who performs tasks that require familiarity with legal concepts, employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity for non-diagnostic and non­ advisory work in relation to legal matters delegated by such lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity.” (CPRA, Section 34, Canon II) Under this section, lawyers are required to “direct or supervise a paralegal in the performance of the latter's delegated duties.” b. Duty of confidentiality extends to a paralegal Under this section, duty of confidentiality by lawyers “also extend to the services rendered by the paralegal, who is equally bou...