GENERAL PRINCIPLES

THE PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION

(1) Only those who comply with the requirements of the Attorneys Association and the Rules of the Ethics Code can practice the profession of the lawyer.

(2) In the practice of his profession the lawyers should act always diligently and in good faith.

DIGNITY OF THE PROFESSION

(1) Maintain, at all times, the dignity of the profession.

(2) The lawyer shall, in practice as well in private life, abstain from any behavior, which may discredit the good name of the profession.

INDEPENDENCE

(1) The lawyer shall act in accordance with the law, this Ethics Code and the legitimate interests of the client, be free from all other influence, especially such as may arise from his personal interests or external pressure, and otherwise render professional services based upon his own best judgment.

COMPETENCE

(1) The lawyer should provide competent representation to the client. The competence implies the legal knowledge and professional skills reasonably necessary in any concrete case.

(2) The lawyer should have the duty to maintain his competence through continuing education.

DILIGENCE

(1) The lawyer should at all times act diligently and promptly when representing the client.

(2) The lawyer have a duty to serve the client in the most efficient manner possible, consistent with ethical obligations, including in the appropriate circumstances attempts to settle the client’s case.

CONFIDENTIALITY

(1) Confidentiality is a primary and fundamental right and obligation of a lawyer.

(2) The lawyer has the right and obligation to keep the confidentiality of all information given to him by the client, or received by him about the client or others in the course of rendering services to his client. Such information may be disclosed only with the express consent of the client or the other persons concerned.

(3) The obligation of confidentiality is not limited in time.

(4) The lawyer shall require his associates and staff and anyone engaged by him in the course of providing professional services to observe the same obligation of confidentiality.

(5) The duty of confidentiality shall not prejudice:

a. The right of the lawyer to inform a person to whom he is delegating individual legal service tasks on the state of affairs of the case at hand, provided such person is bound by the duty of confidentiality;

b. The right to disclose facts, to the extent necessary for the proceedings at hand, to a court or other similar body, provided the subject matter of the proceedings in a dispute between the lawyer and a client.

(6) The lawyer can disclose confidential information reasonably if considers that this is necessary to prevent death or injuries or to protect him during civil, administrative, penal or other proceedings related with lawyer- client dispute or connected with client’s behavior. The lawyer can disclose no more information than it is strictly necessary for those purposes.