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How to practise in Philippines
Posted 2nd August 2011
Foreign lawyers are not permitted to establish offices in the Philippines, but may visit the jurisdiction to advise clients.
The Legal System:
The Philippine legal system is a blend reflecting the influences which have shaped it. Civil law principles, from the time of the Spanish colonisation (1521 - 1898), operate in such areas as family relations, property, contract and criminal law. Common law concepts from the American period (1898-1935) can be seen in constitutional, company, taxation and labour relations law. In some of the southern parts of the country, Islamic law is in force, reflecting the longstanding influence of Muslim Malay traders.
The Legal Profession:
There are about 50,000 attorneys in the Philippines.
Legal training is generally based in universities, and the medium of instruction is English. In order to practice law, students must qualify for and pass the Bar examination, and take the attorney's oath. They then become members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
The objectives of the IBP are to:
(1) elevate the standards of the legal profession;
(2) improve the administration of justice;
(3) enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.
(2) improve the administration of justice;
(3) enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.
Regulation of legal profession:
The legal profession in the Philippines has been regulated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) since 1973. Membership in the IBP is compulsory for practicing lawyers. The IBP describes itself as a "semi-governmental entity, a private organisation endowed with certain governmental attributes" (see IBP website for more details). Attorneys are considered officers of the court. The IBP investigations disciplinary matters and submits recommendations to the Supreme Court.
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