Table of Content

RULE l. JURISDICTION

RULE 2. GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE

a. commission of act

(1) moral turpitude

(2) disciplinary action recommendation

b. willful disobedience, violation of law

c. violation of oath/duties

d. willful appearance without authority

e. misrepresentation

f. suspension, disbarment

g. practice of law with disbarred/suspended attorney

h. violation of ABA Rules of Profession

RULE 3. TYPES OF DISCIPLINE

a. disbarment

b. suspension

c. public censure

d. private reprimand

e. restitution

f. costs of proceedings

g. traditional apology

RULE 4. COMPLAINTS

a. charges

b. referral to Chief Justice

c. appointment of disciplinary counsel

d. referral to presiding justice

(1) processing of complaint

(2) deferral of process

(3) dismissal of complaint

RULE 5. INVESTIGATION REPORT DISPOSITION

a. finding unfounded/trivial in nature

b. warranting consideration

c. hearing

d. venue

e. confidentiality

f. opportunity to cross-examine

g. entry of findings

h. appeal

RULE 6. REFUSAL OF COMPLAINANT TO PROCEED OR COMPROMISE

RULE 7. MATTERS INVOLVING RELATED PENDING CIVIL OR CRIMINAL LITIGATION

a. no deferral or abatement

b. acquittal -

RULE 8. SERVICE

a. upon respondent

b. rules of civil procedure

RULE 9. SUBPOENA POWER, WITNESSES

a. upon application of Disciplinary Counsel

b. no discovery

RULE 10. ATTORNEYS CONVICTED OF CRIMES

a. certificate of Clerk of Courts

b. conviction

c. certificate of conviction

d. action on reversal of conviction

RULE 11. RECIPROCAL DISCIPLINE

a. duty of attorney to inform Chief Justice

b. notice to attorney by Chief Justice

(1) copy of order

(2) notice to attorney

c. imposition of discipline

(l) procedure lacking

(2) infirmity of proof

(3) different discipline in Pohnpei

(4) no misconduct in Pohnpei

d. other respects

RULE 12. DISBARRED OR SUSPENDED ATTORNEY

a. notice to clients

b. move to withdraw

c. effective date

d. filing of attorney affidavit

(1 ) compliance

(2 ) notice to other states

e. publication of disbarment /suspension

f. notice to all FSM judges

g. record of proceedings

RULE 13. REINSTATEMENT

a. prohibi tion from practice until reinstatement

b. application for reinstatement disallowed

c. filing of petitions

d. expenses

RULE 14. CUMULATIVE VIOLATIONS

a. three or more censures/reprimands

b. combinaion of disbarment / suspension

RULE 15. UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW