29/12/2025
Latest jurisprudence: Date released 22 Dec 2025
Can a mistress seek disbarment against a lawyer citing gross immorality?
When personal relationships blur professional boundaries, questions arise on the limits of lawyer discipline.
This is an administrative case for disbarment/suspension entitled Imperial v. Reyes, filed by Maria Theresa E. Imperial against Atty. Reyes, Jr., docketed as A.C. No. 14228, promulgated on 15 July 2025. The complaint alleged gross immorality and professional misconduct arising from a long-term intimate relationship and disputed legal services. The Supreme Court dismissed the complaint, ruling that private conduct, absent clear proof of professional misconduct affecting public interest, does not warrant disciplinary sanctions.
*The complainant is the alleged long term mistress/previous law student.
