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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Attorney Disbarred for Abandoning Client After Receiving Full Payment for Legal Services
Supreme Court disbars lawyer who took full payment but abandoned client's case, violating the duty of fidelity and diligence.
Land Registration in the Philippines: Proving Possession and Alienable Status
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies what evidence is needed to register land under PD 1529, including possession and alienable classification.
When Lawyers Cite Cases That Do Not Exist: G.R. No. 276106 and the Duty of Candor
The Supreme Court denied a labor petition and ordered an investigation of counsel who cited eighteen decisions that were nonexistent, misquoted, or ruled against his client.
Land Registration in the Philippines: Why Possession Since June 12, 1945 Matters
The Supreme Court denied a land registration application because possession began after June 12, 1945, and before the land was declared alienable and disposable.
Filipino Land Ownership Validating Land Transfers TO Citizens Despite Initial Alienation
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how land transferred to aliens can be cured when it later passes to Filipino citizens.
Citizenship and Land Ownership: When a Void Sale to an Alien Is Cured
A sale of land to an alien is void, but the defect is cured when the land later passes to Filipino citizens. The Supreme Court explains why reversion fails.
Contingent Attorneys Fees Defining Benefit IN Legal Agreements
Learn how the Supreme Court interpreted contingent attorney's fees in contracts, and what benefit means for lawyers and clients.
Priority of Attachment Liens Over Prior Unregistered Sales of Real Property
When an attachment lien is registered before a sale, the lien prevails. Learn the priority rules under PD 1529.
Corporations Cannot Acquire Public Land: T.A.N. Properties v. Republic
The Supreme Court denies a corporation's land registration application, ruling that private corporations cannot acquire alienable public lands under the Constitution.
Disbarred Lawyer Cited for Contempt After Defying Order to Return Funds
The Supreme Court denied with finality a disbarred lawyer's bid to reopen his case and cited him for indirect contempt for refusing to return funds to his former client.
Attorney Misconduct: When a Lawyer's Absence Constitutes Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's absence from proceedings amounts to negligence, and the limits of a client's remedy.
Attorneys Conflict OF Interest Upholding Client Loyalty AND Confidentiality
Attorney Suspended for Neglect and Mishandling Client's Property
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for failing to render legal services, returning money late, and withholding client's title and documents.
Register of Deeds Cannot Re-Annotate Liens Omitted from Reconstituted Titles
Supreme Court rules Register of Deeds lacks authority to re-annotate liens omitted from reconstituted Torrens titles; court petition required.
Reconstitution of Titles: Limits on Register of Deeds Authority and Third Party Rights
When titles are reconstituted after fire, the Register of Deeds cannot annotate liens omitted from the new certificates without court order.
Duty to Inform Counsels Negligence and Finality of Judgments in Construction Disputes
Learn how a counsel's failure to report a change of address can bind clients and make a Court of Appeals decision final and executory.
Untimely Appeal Dooms Land Dispute: Finality of Judgments and Prior Registered Liens
The Court explains when a missed appeal is fatal, why judgments must become final, and how a registered execution levy beats an unregistered sale.
Upholding Client Trust Attorney Suspended FOR Neglecting Case AND Failing TO File Appellants Brief
Land Registration AND THE Burden OF Proof Establishing Alienability AND Disposability
Land Registration: Proving Public Lands Are Alienable and Disposable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why applicants must prove public lands are alienable and disposable before registration.
Client Bound by Counsel's Negligence: Lessons from a Philippine Attorney Ethics Case
A Supreme Court ruling on how a lawyer's failure to update addresses and clients' duty to monitor cases affect finality of judgments.
Proof of Alienability Required: Land Registration Denied Without Government Certification
Supreme Court denies land registration where applicant failed to prove the property was alienable and disposable public land.
The Binding Nature of Counsel's Negligence: Implications for Litigants
Explore how counsel's negligence binds clients in Philippine litigation, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gulmatico v. People.
Lawyer Suspended for Misappropriating Client Funds and Deceiving Client About Judge
A lawyer's two-year suspension for misappropriating client funds and falsely claiming payments to a judge, explained in plain language.