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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Contempt of Court and Lawyer Accountability: The Roxas Case
A lawyer's intemperate letter to a Supreme Court Justice led to a P30,000 fine for indirect contempt and a reminder of professional ethics.
When a Lawyer's Demand Letter Crosses the Line: Threats and Ethics
A lawyer's threat to file criminal charges in a demand letter violates the Code of Professional Responsibility and amounts to blackmail.
Upholding Ethical Standards: One-Year Suspension for Lawyer's Bigamous Marriage
A municipal legal officer's second marriage while his first subsists violates lawyer ethics. The Supreme Court explains why.
Judicial Employee Misconduct: Ethical Standards Apply Even Outside Official Duties
The Supreme Court holds court employees accountable for misconduct even in private acts, citing a process server's assault as a breach of judicial ethics.
Lawyer Convicted of Direct Bribery: Acejas III vs. People and the Ethics of Representation
The Supreme Court convicted lawyer Francisco Acejas III of direct bribery for conspiring with a public officer to extort money — a warning to all legal professionals.
Upholding Judicial Ethics: Lessons from Administrative Cases Against Baguio City Judges
The Supreme Court's consolidated ruling on administrative cases against Baguio City RTC judges clarifies standards of judicial conduct, propriety, and accountability.
Judicial Ethics and Procedural Rules: Lessons from Coca-Cola Bottlers v. Cabalo
A look at the Supreme Court's ruling on strict compliance with procedural rules in certiorari petitions and the importance of judicial ethics in the Philippines.
Bouncing Checks and Lawyer Discipline: When Professional Ethics Extend Beyond Legal Practice
A lawyer who issues bouncing checks for his corporation can be disciplined. The Supreme Court explains why.
Meeting of Minds in Property Sales: Why Price Agreement Is Key in Philippine Contracts
Philippine contract law requires a meeting of minds on price for property sales. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on consent and judicial ethics.
Judicial Ethics When Personal Vendettas Cloud Impartial Judgment
A look at how the Supreme Court reinforces judicial impartiality and the two-notice rule in dismissals.
Judicial Ethics for Court Employees: The Limits of Public Service
A Supreme Court ruling reminds court personnel that good intentions do not excuse using court authority and resources for purely private matters.
Lawyer Reprimanded for Unfair Dealing: Suzuki v. Tiamson on Legal Ethics
A lawyer's refusal to register a deed and acknowledge payments led to a reprimand. Learn the ethical rules from Suzuki v. Tiamson.
Court Employee Disciplined for Debt and Disobedience: A Lesson in Judicial Ethics
Court employee reprimanded and fined for willful failure to pay just debts and gross insubordination in an administrative case.
Judicial Ethics and Impartiality: When a Judge's Errors Become Gross Ignorance of the Law
A judge's hasty grant of reinvestigation and dismissal without notice or hearing amounts to gross ignorance of the law, violating judicial ethics.
When Lawyers Cross the Line: Conflicting Interests and Client Confidentiality in Philippine Legal Ethics
The Supreme Court's ruling in Pormento vs. Pontevedra clarifies when a lawyer's representation of new clients against former clients constitutes prohibited conflicting interests.
Judicial Conduct: Negligence, Partiality, and the Appearance of Impropriety
A judge's careless signing of documents and joking remarks can constitute negligence and violate judicial ethics, even without proof of bias.
Supreme Court Clears Judge of Delay in Injunction Case: Lessons on TRO Rules and Judicial Ethics
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against Judge Lerma, clarifying TRO hearing timelines and standards for judicial liability in injunction cases.
Upholding Legal Ethics: A Lawyer's Duty of Candor and Fidelity in Property Transactions
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyers' duty of candor, fidelity, and accountability in property transactions and legal representation.
Attorney's Outburst in Court: When Impatience Does Not Violate Ethics
SC rules a lawyer's single outburst in court may not violate ethics if uttered in the heat of the moment, but reminds lawyers to remain circumspect.
Judicial Ethics When CAN A Judge BE Reprimanded FOR Lack OF DUE Care
Upholding Banks Right TO Withhold Benefits FOR Employee Misconduct A Case OF DUE Process AND Corporate Ethics
Supreme Court clarifies separation pay rules for business closures, quitclaim validity, and payment by check under Philippine labor law.
Judicial Ethics Substantiating Claims OF Bribery Against Judges
Court Employees Cannot Act as Insurance Agents: A Lesson in Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court fined a process server for facilitating bail bonds through a surety company, reaffirming the ban on court employees engaging in insurance activities.