Legal Insights

Attorney’s Fees in the Philippines: When Courts Can Award Them

Philippine courts cannot award attorney's fees without clear justification. Learn the rules under Article 2208 of the Civil Code.

Diplomatic Immunity vs Personal Accountability: The Limits of Privilege

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on diplomatic immunity, privacy rights, and personal liability for damages under the Civil Code.

Formal Will Requirements: Strict vs Substantial Compliance in Probate

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when defective attestation clauses invalidate wills, distinguishing strict from substantial compliance under Civil Code Articles 805 and 809.

Who Owns Farm Improvements Under CARP? Landowner vs. Lessee Rights

The Supreme Court ruled that disputes over crops and improvements between a landowner and a lessee fall under the Civil Code, not agrarian reform courts.

Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: When Negligence and Vicarious Liability Apply

Supreme Court affirms joint liability of driver and owner in a vehicular accident, clarifying negligence, proximate cause, and vicarious liability under the Civil Code.

Reconveyance Claims: Proving Land Identity Under Article 434 of the Civil Code

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on reconveyance actions: claimants must prove land identity and title. Learn the requirements under Article 434.

Liability in Maritime Charters: Who Pays When the Ship Goes Down

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies who bears liability when a chartered vessel sinks, applying the Civil Code over the Code of Commerce.

Lease Assignment Without Lessor Consent: Supreme Court Upholds Rescission

Philippine Supreme Court rules on lease assignment without lessor consent, applying Article 1649 and Article 1191 of the Civil Code.

Brokers Breach Unauthorized Stock Sales AND Fiduciary Duty IN Philippine LAW

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies stockbroker liability for unauthorized share sales and fiduciary duties under the Civil Code.

Probate Proceedings and Testamentary Provisions: Balancing Testator Intent with Statutory Limits

A Supreme Court ruling on enforcing a testator's 20-year non-partition directive, balancing testamentary intent against Civil Code limits on indivision.

Good Faith Construction: Defining Landowner and Builder Rights in Property Disputes

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rights of good faith builders and landowners under Civil Code Articles 448, 546, and 548.

Trust and Tax: Protecting Pension Funds Through Beneficial Ownership

How the Supreme Court protected a pension fund's tax-exempt income by recognizing beneficial ownership under Article 1452 of the Civil Code.

Protecting Buyers' Rescission Rights in Philippine Condominium Purchases

Learn how Philippine law protects condominium buyers' right to rescind purchases and recover payments under RA 9646 and Civil Code provisions.

Navigating Improvements on Another's Land: Understanding Builders' Rights in Philippine Property Disputes

Learn how Philippine courts handle improvements built on another's land, including the landowner's options under Article 448 of the Civil Code.

Compromise Agreements and Party Autonomy in Philippine Dispute Resolution

The Supreme Court approves a compromise agreement, affirming that parties may settle disputes through mutual concessions under Article 1306 of the Civil Code.

Co-Ownership and Property Recovery: When Must All Owners Join a Lawsuit

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when co-owners must be impleaded in property recovery suits under Article 487 of the Civil Code.

Option Contracts Consideration Requirement For Enforceability In Philippine Law

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on option contracts, consideration, and enforceability under Civil Code. Learn key takeaways.

Vicarious Liability and Public Officials: When Is a Mayor Responsible for Employee Negligence

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a mayor can be held liable for a driver's negligence under Article 2180 of the Civil Code.

Good Faith and the Exercise of Legal Rights: When Demands for Rent Don't Amount to Abuse of Rights

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that sending demand letters to assert property rights, done in good faith, is not an abuse of rights under Article 19 of the Civil Code.

Void Donation Private Instrument Insufficient FOR Transferring Real Property Under THE OLD Civil Code

Negligence in a U-Turn Collision: Quasi-Delict Liability Under Philippine Law

A Supreme Court ruling clarifies negligence and vicarious liability in a U-turn collision, applying Articles 2176 and 2180 of the Civil Code.

Builders in Good Faith: Resolving Land Ownership Disputes and Improvement Rights

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rights of builders in good faith when land ownership is disputed, applying Civil Code articles on accession.

Employer Liability for Employee Death in the Philippines Even in Fortuitous Events

Philippine employers may be liable for employee death caused by fortuitous events under Article 1711 of the Civil Code, as explained in Candano Shipping Lines v. Sugata-on.

Philippine LAW Owner Liability FOR Contractor Debts Understanding Article 1729

When can a building owner be held liable for a contractor's unpaid debts? The Supreme Court explains Article 1729 of the Civil Code.