Florida Supreme Court Wants Lawyers to be Civil

New Florida lawyers will have to agree to be more civil when they take the oath of admission to the Florida Bar.

In recent years, concerns have grown about acts of incivility among members of the legal profession, according to an opinion released Monday by the states Supreme Court. Among others, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) has sought to increase awareness of the importance of civility in the practice of law.

The new oath adds the following language:

To opposing parties and their counsel, I pledge fairness, integrity, and civility, not only in court, but also in all written and oral communications.

The new oath is copied in part on the oath required since 2003 for those being admitted to the South Carolina Bar.

The language change is effective immediately.

The full oath now will be read:

I do solemnly swear: I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida; I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers; I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceedings which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land; I will employ, for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided in me such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law; I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my clients, and will accept no compensation in connection with their business except from them or with their knowledge and approval; To opposing parties and their counsel, I pledge fairness, integrity, and civility, not only in court, but also in all written and oral communications; I will abstain from all offensive personality and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged; I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay anyones cause for lucre or malice. So help me God.