P.R. Laws tit. 4A, § 1
(a) Members. —
(1) Composition. — The Committee on Character of Applicants Seeking Admission to the Bar shall be composed of a Chairperson and four associate members appointed by the Supreme Court. The Committee shall elect a secretary from among its members.
(2) Appointment. — Committee members shall be appointed by the Court for the following terms: the Chairperson for a term of five (5) years, and the four (4) associate members for terms of one, two, three, and four years, respectively. Thereafter, appointments shall be for terms of five (5) years each. Members shall hold office until their successors are appointed. In case of a vacancy, the court shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the term for which the person causing the vacancy had been appointed.
(3) Requirements. — The Chairperson and at least three (3) of the four (4) associate members of the Committee, except as provided hereinbelow, must have been admitted to the practice of law in Puerto Rico, must have at least five (5) years experience in the practice of law, and must have a good reputation. The other associate member may represent the public interest, and there shall be no requirements other than his being of legal age, having a good reputation, and not being an attorney.
(4) Per diems. — Committee members who are not permanent employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies or public corporations, shall be entitled to a per diem allowance of thirty-five (35) dollars for each Committee meeting they attend, or for each day in which, at the request of the Committee or its Chairperson, they engage in any task related to the duties imposed by these rules.
(b) Powers. — The following shall be the powers of the Committee:
(1) To evaluate, investigate, and determine the character and reputation of every applicant seeking admission to the practice of law.
(2) To take sworn statements, hold hearings, and receive evidence in accordance with these rules.
(c) Decisions and quorum. — All Committee decisions shall be adopted by a majority. Three (3) committee members shall constitute a quorum. When the Chairperson is absent or does not take part in a case, the senior associate member shall serve as acting chairperson, but at no time may the law committee member act as such.
History —Apr. 21, 1983, eff. May 2, 1983.