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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Navigating Property Disputes: The Crucial Role of Assessed Value in Determining Court Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies res judicata and jurisdiction rules in property disputes, emphasizing the importance of assessed value in determining which court has authority.
Upholding Judicial Stability THE Limits OF CO Equal Court Jurisdiction IN Property Execution
When Selling Another’s Property Is Not Estafa: The Ison Case
The Supreme Court explains when a false claim of ownership does not amount to estafa, and why the prosecution must prove deceit beyond reasonable doubt.
Forum Shopping and Preliminary Mandatory Injunctions in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies forum shopping rules and possessory rights under the Civil Code in property disputes.
Challenging Land Ownership Claims Establishing Lessor Lessee Relationships IN Unlawful Detainer Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unlawful detainer cases, lessor-lessee relationships, and the res inter alios acta principle in property disputes.
Determining Good Faith Remand FOR Trial ON Property Ownership Disputes
When can the Supreme Court remand a property dispute for trial? Learn from Toledo v. Court of Appeals on good faith buyers.
Sale vs Donation: How Courts Determine the True Intent Behind Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court explains how to distinguish a simulated donation from a real sale, and why building a house on another's land does not create co-ownership.
Annulment of Sheriff's Sale Based on Alleged Loan Payment: Key Lessons from Domingo v. Molina
The Supreme Court clarifies when a sale of conjugal property by a surviving spouse is valid, and the proper remedy for co-owners.
Co-Ownership Rights Protecting Inherited Property Against Unconsented Mortgages
Learn how co-owners can protect inherited property from unconsented mortgages and what the Supreme Court says about ownership rights.
Forged Deeds and Imprescriptible Rights: Protecting Land Ownership in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forged deeds, land ownership protection, and the limits of prescription in property disputes.
Demolition and Due Process: Balancing Property Rights and Public Projects in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when demolitions may proceed without a court order under RA 7279, using the BCDA JUSMAG case.
Freedom of the Press and Electoral Integrity: Rappler's Right to Live Stream Debates
The Supreme Court ruled that media entities may live stream COMELEC debates, subject to copyright conditions under the Intellectual Property Code.
Lost Title vs. Stolen Title: When Reconstitution Is Void in Philippine Property Law
Explore when a court-ordered title reconstitution is void, the limits of certiorari, and why technical rules yield to substantial justice.
Land Conveyance and Public Land Act Alienation Restrictions: A Guide to Reconveyance
Learn how the Public Land Act's five-year ban on selling free patent land affects property sales and reconveyance actions in the Philippines.
Attorney Disqualification: The Limits of Contingency Fees and Conflicts of Interest
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyers acquiring client property during litigation, void contracts, and contingency fee limits.
BSP Can Use Private Counsel: Supreme Court Clarifies Jurisdiction and Representation Rules
Supreme Court rules on BSP's authority to engage private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property disputes.
BSP Authority to Engage Private Counsel and Jurisdiction in Legal Proceedings
Supreme Court clarifies BSP's power to hire private counsel and RTC jurisdiction over real property cases involving assessed value.
Preliminary Injunction Preserving the Status Quo in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a preliminary injunction may issue in property disputes, emphasizing the need to preserve the status quo and the limits of such relief.
Just Compensation Beyond Market Value: Ensuring Fair Recovery in Expropriation Cases
The Supreme Court affirms that just compensation in expropriation cases may exceed market value, including consequential damages for remaining property.
When Title Reconstitution Fails: Conflicting Claims and Enemy Property
The Supreme Court explains when a petition to reconstitute a lost title must be denied, using a World War II-era vesting order as key evidence.
Withdrawing a Land Registration Application: Mootness and Property Rights Under PD 1529
The Supreme Court explains what happens when an applicant withdraws a land registration case, and why the withdrawal does not forfeit property rights.
Injunctions and Property Rights: Balancing Ownership and Possession in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when preliminary injunctions may issue, distinguishing real parties in interest from indispensable parties in property disputes.
Conjugal Property Sales When A Void Contract Still Speaks Volumes
When a deed of absolute sale is void for lack of spousal consent, can it still be used to prove a valid dacion en pago? The Supreme Court weighs in.
Dacion en Pago vs. Equitable Mortgage: Lessons from Villarta v. Talavera
The Supreme Court clarifies when a property transfer is a valid dacion en pago, not an equitable mortgage, in Villarta v. Talavera.