Which statement reflects the duty of candour in the presentation of the law?

• A. Duty of candour in presentation of the law
• B. Duty of candour in presentation of the facts
• C. Duty of independence
• D. Duty to the court's administration

Answer: (A)

The key idea is candour to the court about the law. When you present the legal rules and authorities, you must be truthful and complete about what the law actually is. This means stating the controlling statutes and leading authorities accurately, and, if there are authorities or aspects of the law that are adverse to your client’s position, you must bring them to the court’s attention and explain how they fit. You should not misstate the law or selectively quote to push a desired outcome. This duty helps ensure the court makes decisions based on the correct legal framework, not a distorted view.

The other duties touch different areas: presenting the facts truthfully concerns factual honesty; independence is about remaining free from client or other influences in advocacy; and the court’s administration relates to following procedural rules and court processes.