Rules/Issuances
OFFICIAL AGENCY SOURCE NOTEProfessional responsibility: values in everyday practice
The CPRA’s canons place professional duty within everyday decisions about legal practice.
The Court’s official explanation was checked for the six canons and approval date. The linked Code remains the controlling detailed reference.
What happened
The Supreme Court approved the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability in April 2023. This explainer introduces its framework rather than reporting a new issuance.
What the law/case says
The six canons concern independence, propriety, fidelity, competence and diligence, equality, and accountability. They address professional conduct and responsibility; they do not promise a result for any client.
Why it matters
Decisions about communication, preparation, representation and dealings with others carry professional consequences. The Code provides a framework for evaluating those duties beyond a firm’s statement of values.
Practical takeaway
Start with the detailed provision relevant to the conduct in question, then examine its application and subsequent rulings. A list of canons alone does not establish compliance or decide a complaint against a lawyer.
Official source/citation
Read the Court’s Code and its official explanation of the values-based framework. No individual lawyer’s conduct is assessed in this article.