CANON 18 A lawyer shall serve his client with competence and diligence.

Suarez v. CA, 220 SCRA 274 (1993) xxx xxx A client may reasonably expect that his counsel will make good his representations xxx xxx and has the right to expect that his lawyer will protect his interests during the trial of the case. Rule 18.01. A lawyer shall not undertake a legal service which he knows or should know that he is not qualified to render. However, he may render such service if, with the consent of his client, he can obtain as collaborating counsel a lawyer who is competent on the matter. Islas vs. Platon, 47 Phil. 162 When a lawyer accepts a case, whether for a fee or not, his acceptance is an implied representation: 1. that he possess the requisite degree of academic learning, skill and ability in the practice of his profession; 2. that he will exert his best judgment in the prosecution or defense of the litigation entrusted to him; 3. that he will exercise reasonable and ordinary care and diligence in the pursuit or defense of the case; and 4. that he will take steps as will adequately safeguard his clients interests. Rule 18.02. A lawyer shall not handle any legal matter without adequate preparation. Rule 18.03. A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to him, and his negligence in connection therewith shall render him liable. Vivero vs. Santos, 98 Phil. 500 (1956) The client is bound by his counsels conduct, negligence and mistake in handling the case, or in the management of the litigation and in the procedural technique, and he cannot be heard to complain that the result might have been different had his lawyer proceeded differently. * Instances where the client is not bound by counsels negligence