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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Reinsurance and Attachment Bonds: Upholding Surety Validity Beyond Retention Limits
Supreme Court clarifies that attachment bonds exceeding a surety's retention limit remain valid when the excess is reinsured, explaining reinsurance contracts.
Enforceability of Oral Contracts: Protecting Contractors' Rights Through Quantum Meruit
Oral contracts are binding in the Philippines. Learn how quantum meruit protects contractors who complete work without written agreements.
Security of Tenure for OFWs: Why Illegal Dismissal and Void Contracts Matter
A Supreme Court ruling affirms that overseas Filipino workers enjoy security of tenure, and contracts violating this right are void.
Economic Hardship Is Not a Valid Excuse to Breach a Lease Contract: Iloilo JAR Corp. v. Comglasco
A lessee cannot invoke economic crisis or financial difficulty to escape a lease contract. The Supreme Court clarifies Article 1267 limits.
Forum Shopping AND Arbitration Clauses Navigating Jurisdictional Boundaries IN Contract Disputes
Equitable Mortgage Protecting Vulnerable Parties IN Property Transactions
The Supreme Court clarifies when a contract breach warrants damages, and when it does not, in a property dispute.
Breach of Contract and Damages: When Is a Party Entitled to Monetary Relief
The Supreme Court clarifies that a breach of contract does not automatically entitle the injured party to compensatory damages without proof of actual pecuniary loss.
Construction Contracts Default Rules and Unjust Enrichment in Equipment Leases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies default rules on minimum contract amounts, quantum meruit, and unjust enrichment in construction equipment lease disputes.
Breach of Contract Alone Does Not Justify Compensatory Damages: Pryce Properties v. Octobre
The Supreme Court clarifies when breach of contract warrants compensatory damages versus nominal damages, and when attorney's fees may be recovered.
Summary Judgment vs Trial: Protecting Rights in Contract Disputes
How the Supreme Court protects judgment debtors from irregular execution sales in contract disputes, and what it means for your rights.
SEC Cease and Desist Orders and Investment Contracts: A Supreme Court Primer
The Supreme Court clarifies that SEC cease and desist orders are interlocutory, not appealable, and that the SEC has primary jurisdiction over investment contract questions.
Duty of Disclosure in Insurance Contracts: Insurers Must Prove Concealment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that insurers bear the burden of proving concealment or misrepresentation by convincing evidence before rescinding policies.
Seafarers Disability Claims: Strict Adherence to POEA Contract Procedures Required
SC ruling in Calimlim v. Wallem Maritime: seafarers must follow POEA-SEC procedures, including third-doctor referral, or company physician's assessment stands.
Government Employment and Separation Benefits: The TransCo Ruling on Contractual Employees
The Supreme Court clarifies when contractual government employees qualify for separation benefits and when good faith excuses refund of disallowed amounts.
Breach of Contract: Temperate Damages Awarded for Failure to Deliver Property Titles
Supreme Court awards temperate damages to buyer when developer failed to deliver deeds and titles, explaining when such damages apply.
Unilateral Lease Termination and Ejectment: Mutuality of Contracts in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a lessor may unilaterally terminate a lease and file ejectment, and the limits of summary proceedings.
When Can a Sale Be Rescinded: Abuse of Rights in Business Contracts
Supreme Court ruling on how a manufacturer's unfair competition against its own distributor can give rise to damages under the Civil Code.
Enforcement of Government Contracts: Recovery Allowed Despite Lack of Funds Certification
Supreme Court allows contractor recovery for government equipment leases despite missing funds certification, citing quantum meruit and equity.
Securities Deposit Immunity Protecting Policyholders Interests IN Insurance Contracts
Learn how the Supreme Court protects policyholders' interests through the securities deposit immunity rule in insurance contracts.
Piercing the Corporate Veil When Labor Rights Trump Corporate Fiction in Illegal Dismissal Cases
When a contractor is a labor-only scheme, the principal becomes the true employer. The Supreme Court pierces the corporate veil to protect workers' rights.
Specific Performance vs Rescission: Contractual Remedies Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when specific performance or rescission applies in reciprocal obligations, using a Tagaytay property dispute as guide.
School Liability for Student Safety in Off-Campus Activities: The St. Luke's Case
The Supreme Court holds schools liable for student safety in required off-campus activities, ruling on negligence and contractual obligations.
Substantial Completion and Contract Termination in Construction Disputes: PSHS v. Pirra Construction
When is a project substantially completed, and when can a government agency terminate a construction contract? The Supreme Court clarifies.
Fixed-Term Contracts: What the 30-Day Notice Rule Means for Renewal
Supreme Court ruling on fixed-term contracts, the 30-day notice requirement, and automatic renewal implications for employers and employees.