Working with a Thai Lawyer and the Lawyers Council Code of Ethics

Working with a Thai lawyer is a regulated process that ensures the needs of both the court and the client are met with the utmost regard. In Thailand, every Thai lawyer is expected to be a member of the Lawyers Council. The Lawyers Council is an institution that sets the ethical conduct of all Thai lawyers which they should follow to the letter. Failure to adhere to the rules will lead the Thai lawyer to be deemed to commit ethical misconduct.

The Lawyers Council has a set of code of ethics on how a Thai lawyer should behave towards the court, the client and other lawyers and litigators.

Ethic towards the court and in court

• A Thai lawyer should not refuse to act as a pro bono lawyer in a criminal case when a judge asks unless there is a reasonable excuse
• A lawyer must respect an authorization of the court
• A lawyer should not give a false statement, documentation or evidence to deceive the court
• A Thai lawyer should not be an accomplice whether directly or indirectly in producing false evidence, falsified witness testimonies, bribery or the concealing of information

Ethics towards a client

• A Thai lawyer should not incite a client to file a lawsuit without any probable cause
• A lawyer should not convince a client that they will win a case when they obviously know that they will not
• A Thai lawyer should not flaunt that they know better than any other lawyer
• A lawyer should not flaunt that they know someone who could give a privilege
• A lawyer should not disclose any confidential information about the client without their consent
• A lawyer should not be deliberately absent to an appointment or neglect a client’s case
• A lawyer should not obscure any information from the client or neglect to perform
• A Thai lawyer should not use any previous information from one party to assist another party interested in the same case
• The lawyer must not use any form of deceit
• A lawyer should not retain or possess the property or monies of a client beyond the time agreed upon without the client’s consent

Ethics towards other litigators

• A Thai lawyer must not compete, bid or promise to accept a case when there is another existing lawyer to the litigant
• A lawyer should not exaggerate about name, qualification, place or office in order to persuade clients when they are advertising themselves or others
• A Thai lawyer should not misbehave in a way that diminishes the dignity and pride of lawyers
• A lawyer should neither agree nor promise to give a commission to any employee in exchange for supplying a case

Ethics about dress code

• Male Thai lawyers should wear white or non-colourful clothes and closed shoes
• Women Thai lawyers should wear non-colourful blouses and skirts with closed shoes

The Lawyers Council code of ethics covers everything about the nature and work of a Thai lawyer and how they are to carry themselves. Hence, working with a licensed and registered Thai lawyer is hassle-free.