NG Bar Final Professional Ethics cheat sheet
NG Bar Final Professional Ethics · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Professional Ethics (Nigeria Bar Final)
Duty to court ranks above duty to client: counsel must not mislead the court, cite contrary authority, or conceal material law, even if it harms the client's case.
Client confidentiality under the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) survives the retainer's end; disclosure is permitted only with consent, by court order, or to prevent a crime likely to cause death or serious harm.
Conflict of interest rule: counsel must decline or withdraw where a personal interest or a former client's confidences create a substantial risk of materially limiting representation of the current client.
A lawyer may not act in a matter in which the lawyer or a family member has a financial interest, and may not purchase client property in litigation except by court order or statute.
Fees must be reasonable and disclosed; contingency fees in criminal cases are prohibited, and counsel may not sue the client for fees while the retainer continues without first exhausting the retainer's terms.
Counsel must not communicate about a represented party's matter with that party directly; all dealings go through the opposing counsel unless the party is unrepresented or the law authorizes direct contact.
Withdrawal requires leave of court once proceedings have commenced; counsel must protect the client's interests, return papers, and refund unearned fees on withdrawal.
Prosecutors owe a duty of fairness: disclose exculpatory material, avoid inflaming the jury, and not pursue charges unsupported by probable cause.
Advertising is permitted only in a dignified manner; counsel may not solicit clients, pay referral fees for cases, or use misleading claims about competence or results.