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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Void Donations: Absence of Public Instrument Nullifies Property Transfer Despite Intent
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void oral donations of immovable property and the formal requirements under Article 749 of the Civil Code.
Notice Requirements in Foreclosure: When Lack of Specificity Matters
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when failure to allege lack of publication in foreclosure complaints bars relief for mortgagors.
Reconstitution of Lost Titles: The Imperative of Primary Evidence and Due Diligence in Land Registration
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconstitution of lost titles, emphasizing primary evidence requirements and due diligence in land registration cases.
Protecting Marital Property: Understanding Consent Requirements in Real Estate Sales
The Supreme Court clarifies when spousal consent is required for real estate sales and the difference between contracts to sell and deeds of sale.
When a "Duplicate Original" Becomes a Technicality: Velasco v. Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies when a "duplicate original" copy satisfies appeal requirements, and when dismissal for technicality becomes grave abuse of discretion.
When Self-Defense Fails: Unlawful Aggression and Retaliation in Homicide Cases
Understand when self-defense claims fail in Philippine homicide cases, focusing on unlawful aggression and retaliation requirements.
Self-Defense, Unlawful Aggression, and Firearm Confiscation in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies self-defense requirements, unauthorized firearm use as aggravating circumstance, and rightful confiscation of licensed firearms.
Illegal Dismissal and Abandonment: What Employers Must Prove in Philippine Labor Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies abandonment and due process requirements in illegal dismissal cases, protecting employee rights under the Labor Code.
Illegal Dismissal and Employer-Employee Relationship in Philippine Labor Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects employee rights in illegal dismissal cases, including the employer-employee relationship test and due process requirements.
Party List Registration: What It Takes to Represent Marginalized Sectors
The Supreme Court clarifies the requirements for party-list registration and representation of marginalized sectors in the Philippines.
Perfected Contract of Sale vs Ejectment: Clarifying Obligations in Property Law
Supreme Court clarifies rules on ejectment, supersedeas bonds, and procedural requirements in property disputes under Philippine law.
Forcible Entry Survey Requirements in Summary Procedure Cases: What the Supreme Court Says
Learn how Philippine courts resolve unlawful detainer cases, why Torrens titles prevail, and what summary procedure means for possession disputes.
Illegal Dismissal: Employer's Burden of Proof and Due Process in Termination Cases
Learn the Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal, the employer's burden of proof, and due process requirements in employee termination cases.
Business Closure and Employee Rights: Employer Obligations in Termination
Understand employer obligations when closing a business in the Philippines, including notice requirements, separation pay, and when dismissal is valid.
Strict Compliance With Bill of Lading Clauses Upholding Carrier Protection in Cargo Claims
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict compliance with bill of lading notice requirements in cargo damage claims against carriers.
Tenant Redemption Rights and Land Bank Certification Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a Land Bank certification suffices for tenant redemption under R.A. 3844, and when it fails.
Self Defense Under Scrutiny: Proving Imminent Danger in Philippine Law
When can self-defense be successfully invoked in the Philippines? Learn the legal requirements and burden of proof from a Supreme Court ruling.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: When Can a Parent Company Be Liable for Its Subsidiary's Obligations
Philippine Supreme Court explains the strict requirements for piercing the corporate veil and holding a parent liable for subsidiary obligations.
Foreclosure Publication Requirements: Protecting Property Rights in Rural Bank Loans
Learn how strict publication rules in rural bank foreclosures protect property owners, and why buyers must verify possession before purchasing.
Judicial Misconduct: The Imperative of Due Process in Granting Injunctive Relief
A judge's failure to observe notice and hearing requirements before issuing injunctive relief constitutes grave abuse of authority, warranting administrative sanction.
Absence of Prior Appraisal Does Not Void Onerous Donation by Local Government
Supreme Court rules that a local government's onerous donation without prior appraisal is valid, applying contract law over procedural requirements.
Voter Registration Requirement for Barangay Candidates and COMELEC Due Process
The Supreme Court rules on mandatory voter registration for barangay candidates and due process requirements in COMELEC cancellation proceedings.
Redefining THE Bounds OF Qualifying Circumstances THE Supreme Court ON Pleading Requirements IN Rape Cases
Verifying Arbitral Awards: Authenticity Requirements Under Philippine Arbitration Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that unverified copies of arbitral awards cannot support court confirmation orders, explaining verification requirements under R.A. 876.