Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Prejudicial Questions in Criminal Cases: The Mathay Ruling on Corporate Share Disputes
When a civil case over corporate shares determines guilt in a criminal case, proceedings must be suspended. The Mathay ruling explained.
Understanding Lawyer Suspension IN THE Philippines THE Importance OF Professional Responsibility AND Client Trust
Illegal Drug Sales in the Philippines: When Is the Transaction Complete?
The Supreme Court clarifies what completes an illegal drug sale under RA 9165, a key ruling for buy-bust operations and criminal defense.
Lawyer Duties: Informing Courts of Client Death and Filing Briefs
Supreme Court reprimands lawyer for failing to inform court of client's death and neglecting to file appellee's brief. Learn the rules.
Understanding Prescription Periods in Property Disputes: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Case
Learn how prescription periods work in property disputes through the Supreme Court's ruling in Selerio v. Bancasan on interrupted timeframes and written contracts.
Understanding Consent and Force in Rape Cases: Insights from Philippine Supreme Court Rulings
A look at how Philippine courts evaluate force, threat, and intimidation in rape cases, and why the "sweetheart defense" rarely succeeds.
Navigating the Seas of Truth: How Concealment Affects Seafarer Disability Claims
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that concealing pre-existing conditions in a PEME bars seafarers from disability benefits.
Understanding Lawyer Misconduct and Ethical Duties in Property Transactions
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's misconduct highlights the ethical boundaries court personnel must observe in property disputes.
Good Faith vs Bad Faith in Public Office: Lessons from Abillar v. People's Television Network
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when reliance on an official's assurance amounts to good faith, and what constitutes bad faith in public office.
Lawyer Misconduct: The Duty to Return Client Funds in the Philippines
When a lawyer fails to render service and keeps client money, the Supreme Court imposes suspension and restitution. Learn the rules.
Early Retirement and Disability Claims: Lessons from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A seafarer's disability claim fails for concealing pre-existing conditions in his PEME. Learn the legal rules and practical lessons.
Robbery With Homicide: When a Robber Dies During the Hold-Up
The Supreme Court clarifies when robbers can be liable for robbery with homicide even if a co-robber, not a victim, is killed.
How Lawyers' Dilatory Tactics Can Delay Justice: Lessons from a Landmark Supreme Court Ruling
Six lawyers were disciplined for filing frivolous motions to delay execution of a final judgment. Learn the rules they violated.
Mistaken Authority Is Not Bad Faith: The Villarosa Ruling on Anti-Graft Liability
The Supreme Court acquitted a municipal mayor charged under the Anti-Graft Law, holding that an honest mistake of authority does not amount to evident bad faith.
Understanding Judicial Efficiency: The Consequences of Delaying Case Decisions in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling shows the heavy price judges pay for delaying decisions—and what it means for litigants and the justice system.
Understanding Corporate Liability and Piercing the Corporate Veil in the Philippines
A Philippine Supreme Court case explains when corporate officers can be held personally liable and when courts pierce the corporate veil.
Limits of Clerks of Court Misconduct and Judicial Integrity
A clerk of court dismissed for simple misconduct after overstepping duties during writ implementation. Learn the boundaries of court personnel authority.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Lessons from Land Bank v. Nasser
The Supreme Court clarifies how just compensation is computed for agrarian reform lands, emphasizing the landowner's loss, not the taker's gain.
Foreign Investment and Unfair Competition: Key Insights from a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies the limits of judicial review over Board of Investments registration decisions and the meaning of unfair competition claims.
Understanding Circumstantial Evidence in Robbery With Homicide Cases: Insights From Philippine Supreme Court R
Learn how Philippine courts treat circumstantial evidence in robbery with homicide cases, and what the Supreme Court requires for conviction.
Chain of Custody and the Death of an Accused: Key Lessons from People v. Maylon
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling in People v. Maylon on chain of custody in drug cases and the effect of an accused's death pending appeal.
Lawyer-Client Confidentiality: When a Consultation Creates a Binding Duty
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that even unpaid consultations create lawyer-client confidentiality, barring lawyers from representing adverse parties.
Rape Conviction Reduced to Simple Rape When Mental Disability Not Alleged in Information
The Supreme Court explains why a rape conviction was reduced from qualified to simple rape when the victim's mental disability was not alleged in the information.
Construction Arbitration in the Philippines: Finality of CIAC Awards and Judicial Review Limits
Philippine courts defer to CIAC arbitral findings absent fraud or corruption. Learn the limits of judicial review in construction disputes.