The “Decalogue” Advocate

The “Decalogue” Advocate

I. Study. The law is constantly changing. If you do not follow their steps each day will be a little less lawyer. II. Think, you learn studying law, but thinking is exercised. III. Work. The Bar is a heavy fatigue at the service of justice. IV. Struggle. Your duty is to fight for the law, but the day you’re in conflict with law, justice, fight for justice. V. Be loyal. Leal as your client that you can not leave until you understand that it is unworthy of you. Loyal to the opponent, even if it is unfair to you, Loyal to the judge who ignores the facts, and must rely on what you tell and, as to the law, occasionally must rely on you invoke it. VI. Tolerated. Tolerate another’s truth in the same way that you want yours to be tolerated. VII. Be patient. The time is come from the things you do without them. VIII. Have faith. Have faith in law as the best instrument for human coexistence in court, as the normal destiny of law in La Paz as a substitute kind of justice, and above all have faith in freedom, without which no law, no justice, no peace. IX. Forget. Advocacy is a struggle of passions. If in every battle you were filling your soul with rancor come a day when life would be impossible for you. Completed combat, forgotten as soon as you defeat your victory. X. Love your profession. Lawyers Try to consider so that the day that your child will get advice about your destination, consider an honor for you to provide it is a lawyer. Taken From: Mr Cameron Fisher. (2011, March 30). Australia’s advocate decalogue. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://australia-lifestyle.com/decalogue.html.

The "Decalogue” Advocate was written by Eduardo Juan Couture (1904-1956). He was a  teacher and lawyer.He was an eminent jurist, who was inducted into the “Colegio de Abogados de Lima”, as a Member of Honour in 1951. He was Professor of Procedural Law at the University of the Republic in his country Uruguay. He directed the “Journal of Law, Jurisprudence and Administration, he was Dean of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences and President of the Bar Association.

The “Decalogue” Advocate contains regulations or commandments for professional or corporate lawyers in the exercise of their profession. It summaries the most important principles and values that support the professional, social, and personal life of every good lawyer.  It remarks values such as loyalty, tolerance, patience, respect, and responsibility.

I want to mention this information because these commandments are important, relevant and will help future lawyers as a guide the professional performance to avoid contradictions between legal and ethic norms.

We can observe the video of Romana Sadurska, she is a partner of prestigious law firm. She talks about her life and experience as a lawyer. She emphasizes how relevant it is to put into practice values and ethical principles to become a good lawyer.

Written by Adriana Valverde

Sources consulted:

Couture, Eduardo J. (2002).The statutes of the lawyer.  Jure publishers: Mexico.