{"id":14817,"date":"2023-06-12T22:21:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T22:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpatacabamcdev.wpengine.com\/?page_id=14817"},"modified":"2023-06-12T22:21:06","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T22:21:06","slug":"rule-1-competence-how-the-competence-rules-may-require-honest-self-reflection-about-whether-the-licensee-has-the-expertise-needed-to-accept-the-file","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cpata-cabamc.ca\/en\/your-practice\/professional-conduct\/ethical-analyses-and-guidance-old\/rule-1-competence-how-the-competence-rules-may-require-honest-self-reflection-about-whether-the-licensee-has-the-expertise-needed-to-accept-the-file\/","title":{"rendered":"Rule 1 \u2013 Competence \u2013 how the competence rules may require honest self-reflection about whether the licensee has the expertise needed to accept the file"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"14817\" class=\"elementor elementor-14817\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f454fa0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f454fa0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-081a59a\" data-id=\"081a59a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42dbe07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42dbe07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Patent Agents and Trademark Agents provide expert intellectual property services. The profession plays an important role in driving innovation and stimulating Canada\u2019s economic growth. Licensees undergo a rigorous process to join this profession. Many are entrepreneurs themselves. It can be difficult to acknowledge then, that for certain retainers, a licensee might just not have the requisite expertise to accept the file.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The following analysis is a look at the competence rules in the Code of Professional Conduct (the \u201cCode\u201d), but, more than that, it is an exploration of what the competence rules may require of licensees \u2013 honesty and the ability to self-assess as to whether they have the expertise truly required.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad040eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad040eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Scenario <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d22da1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d22da1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">The Code provides that licensees owe their clients a duty to be competent in their service delivery. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">The following rules and guidance set out the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">sort of reflection<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\"> a licensee should <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">undertake<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\"> prior to being <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">retained<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\"> to ensure that they are <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">able to provide<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\"> services <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">that al<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">i<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\">gn<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121486792 BCX0\"> with their ethical obligation of competence to their clients.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW121486792 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba2f29d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ba2f29d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Rules <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f1c636 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f1c636\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW33318856 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33318856 BCX0\">The Code sets out as its Fundamental Canon that<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33318856 BCX0\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33318856 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW33318856 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50e457f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50e457f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 50px;\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\">Irrespective of the possibility of formal sanction under any of the rules in this Code, an agent must <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW238427103 BCX0\">at all times<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\"> conduct themselves with integrity and competence <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\">in accordance with<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\"> the highest standards of the profession <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW238427103 BCX0\">in order to<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\">retain<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\"> the trust, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\">respect<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW238427103 BCX0\"> and confidence of members of the profession and the public.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW238427103 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b7273c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b7273c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Principle of Part 1 of the Code, which sets out the rules with respect to Competence, provides that licensees must perform \u201cservices undertaken on a client\u2019s behalf to the standard of a competent agent.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Commentary provides that licensees are, in effect, \u201cheld out as knowledgeable, skilled and capable in the subject matter of their agency\u201d and clients are \u201centitled to assume that the agent has the ability and capacity to deal adequately with all agency matters to be undertaken on the client\u2019s behalf.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rule 1-2 provides that,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-848dbad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"848dbad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 50px;\"> <span class=\"TextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">An agent <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">fails to<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\"> meet the standards of professional competence if (a) t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">here are deficiencies in<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\"> (<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW91606442 BCX0\">i<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">) t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">heir knowledge, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">skill<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\"> or judgement<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91606442 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW91606442 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559685&quot;:720}\">\u00a0<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9907973 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9907973\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rule 1-2 goes on to state that a deficiency in an agent\u2019s knowledge, skill or judgement \u201cgive[s] rise to a reasonable apprehension that the quality of service they provide to clients may be adversely affected.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Code requires that when a licensee \u201creasonably believes that they may not be competent to handle a particular matter\u2026[they] must (a) decline to act; (b) obtain the client\u2019s consent\u2026to become competent without undue delay, risk or expense to the client; or (c) obtain instructions form the client to retain, consult or collaborate with another agent who is competent to handle the matter\u201d (see Rule 1-1).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Commentary states that \u201cCompetence of an agent is founded upon both ethical and applicable legal principles\u201d and Rule 1-4 provides that an agent has an obligation to stay abreast of developments in the law as it relates to their practice.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It is important to note, however, that the Competence rule\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e92a070 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e92a070\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 50px;\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\" data-ccp-parastyle-defn=\"{&quot;ObjectId&quot;:&quot;40d98537-9c17-4f0f-9077-b3fdc9ed0870|117&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[469775450,&quot;paragraph&quot;,201340122,&quot;2&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,469778129,&quot;paragraph&quot;,335572020,&quot;1&quot;,469777841,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777842,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777843,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777844,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469769226,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,134233118,&quot;true&quot;,134233117,&quot;true&quot;,469778324,&quot;Normal&quot;]}\">does not require a standard of perfection. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">An error or omission, even though it might be actionable for damages in negligence, professional <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">fault<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\"> or contract, will not necessarily constitute a failure to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">maintain<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\"> the standard of professional competence described by the rule<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW255341940 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4bb318 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e4bb318\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-CA\" xml:lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\" data-ccp-parastyle-defn=\"{&quot;ObjectId&quot;:&quot;40d98537-9c17-4f0f-9077-b3fdc9ed0870|117&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[469775450,&quot;paragraph&quot;,201340122,&quot;2&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,469778129,&quot;paragraph&quot;,335572020,&quot;1&quot;,469777841,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777842,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777843,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777844,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469769226,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,134233118,&quot;true&quot;,134233117,&quot;true&quot;,469778324,&quot;Normal&quot;]}\">The Commentary sets out some of the fact<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">or<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">s <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">taken into account<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\"> in <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">determining<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\"> whether a licensee has employed the requisite <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">degree of knowledge and skill which include<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\">:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW202639573 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fb4e35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8fb4e35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"padding-left: 25px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(a) the complexity and specialized nature of the matter;\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 25px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(b) the agent\u2019s general experience;\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 25px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(c) the agent\u2019s training and experience in the technical field and applicable patent and trademark law;\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 25px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(d) the preparation and study that the agent was able to dedicate to the matter; and\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"padding-left: 25px;\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(e) whether it would have been appropriate or feasible to refer the matter to, or associate or consult with, an agent of established competence in the field in question.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2a6e07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c2a6e07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CPATA\u2019s Guidance <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dcc1c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5dcc1c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A licensee should evaluate their competence for each new file they receive. There may be matters for which a licensee should decline to act \u2013 for example, if they do not have the requisite expertise to do so. A licensee evaluating their competence may require them to have an understanding of their own knowledge base and an appreciation of the limits of their own expertise. This may require self-reflection, honesty, and a bit of humility.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A licensee may also keep in mind that they do not have to turn down a file for which they are not yet competent if they ask for the consent of the client to take the time to become competent, provided that it is not at the expense of the client and does not prejudice the client; or if they ask for the consent of the client to consult with and\/or retain the services of another agent who is competent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In any event, a licensee should have the ability to recognize when they do not have the requisite expertise to assist on a file and should ensure that they are always considering the best way to preserve the clients\u2019 interests and be placing the clients\u2019 interests over their own.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ultimately each licensee has to decide what the correct course of action is that will protect client interests and adhere to their professional obligations. Every circumstance is unique and it is up to the licensee to exercise their own professional judgement.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We invite you to <a href=\"https:\/\/cpata-cabamc.ca\/your-practice\/professional-conduct\/ethics-inquiries\/\">contact us with your ethics questions<\/a> online.<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through the Ethics Inquiry process, CPATA\u2019s professional conduct experts are available to help interpret the Code as part of the process of risk-assessment and ethical analysis.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Patent Agents and Trademark Agents provide expert intellectual property services. The profession plays an important<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":6974,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-14817","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rule 1 \u2013 Competence \u2013 how the competence rules may require honest self-reflection about whether the licensee has the expertise needed to accept the file - CPATA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cpata-cabamc.ca\/en\/your-practice\/professional-conduct\/ethical-analyses-and-guidance-old\/rule-1-competence-how-the-competence-rules-may-require-honest-self-reflection-about-whether-the-licensee-has-the-expertise-needed-to-accept-the-file\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rule 1 \u2013 Competence \u2013 how the competence rules may require honest self-reflection about whether the licensee has the expertise needed to accept the file - CPATA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Patent Agents and Trademark Agents provide expert intellectual property services. 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