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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Contract to Sell vs. Contract of Sale: Key Distinctions in Philippine Property Law
Learn the crucial differences between a contract to sell and a contract of sale under Philippine law, and how ownership transfers.
Probate Court Powers Resolving Property Disputes Among Heirs in Philippine Estate Law
When can a probate court resolve property disputes among heirs? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule in Cortes v. Court of Appeals.
Extrajudicial Contract Rescission in the Philippines: Reclaiming Property Without Court Intervention
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a party may extrajudicially rescind a contract and retake property, and when court action becomes necessary.
Indispensable Parties in Philippine Property Disputes: Why Mortgagees Aren't Always Necessary
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a mortgagee is not an indispensable party in property disputes, explained in plain language.
Sheriff’s Authority in Property Levy: What Francisco v. Cruz Teaches About Execution Sales
Learn how Francisco v. Cruz defines a sheriff’s limits in property levy and execution sales, and how to protect your rights.
Gross Negligence in Handling Public Property: A Public Official's Liability for Malversation in the Philippine
Explaining when a public officer's careless handling of entrusted property becomes malversation, based on a Supreme Court ruling on lost shabu evidence.
Administrators Right TO Purchase Consent AS KEY IN Property Sales
Fighting Eviction: Why Exhausting Administrative Remedies Is Your First Step in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn from Zabat v. Court of Appeals: why exhausting administrative remedies before suing in court is crucial in Philippine property disputes.
Muslim Marriages Before the Muslim Code: Property Regime and Estate Settlement
Supreme Court clarifies which law governs property relations in Muslim marriages contracted before the Muslim Code, remanding estate case for further proceedings.
Unwittingly Buying Stolen Goods Understanding Fencing LAW IN THE Philippines
Learn how Philippine law treats the crime of fencing, what makes a buyer liable for receiving stolen property, and the legal consequences involved.
Lawyer Suspended for Deceit in Client Property Dealings: A Lesson in Professional Trust
A Supreme Court ruling suspends a lawyer for one year for gross misconduct in handling a client's property, underscoring fiduciary duties.
Protecting Your Property From Fraudulent Land Titles: Key Lessons From Arriola vs. Mahilum
Learn how the Supreme Court nullified fraudulent land titles in Arriola vs. Mahilum and what property owners must know to protect their rights.
Assurance Fund Claims in Philippine Property Law: Protecting Against Land Title Fraud
When can victims of land title fraud recover from the Assurance Fund? The Supreme Court explains the limits.
Compromise Agreements IN Philippine Courts A Path TO Amicable Property Dispute Resolution
Contract of Sale vs. Contract to Sell: Key Differences in Philippine Real Estate Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the crucial distinction between a contract of sale and a contract to sell, and why it matters in property disputes.
Lis Pendens Cancellation in the Philippines: What Property Owners Should Know
Learn when a Notice of Lis Pendens can be cancelled in the Philippines, the grounds under PD 1529, and key lessons from Yared v. Ilarde.
Statute of Frauds and Implied Trusts When Verbal Agreements Fail in Property Disputes
When verbal property deals fail, the Statute of Frauds and implied trust rules decide enforceability. Learn from a Supreme Court case.
Partitioning Property Enforcing Court Orders AND Avoiding Delays
Learn how Philippine courts handle property partition when parties ignore orders, and why timing matters in certiorari petitions.
When the Supreme Court Sits En Banc: Jurisdiction in Philippine Land Disputes
Learn when the Supreme Court sits en banc in land disputes, and how jurisdiction and land classification shape property rights in the Philippines.
Expropriation in the Philippines: When Can Land Be Sold During Proceedings
Learn when landowners can still sell property during expropriation proceedings and who gets just compensation, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Res Judicata and Land Disputes: What Prior Judgments Mean for Philippine Property Cases
Understanding how prior judgments affect future land disputes in the Philippines, and the critical rules on evidence that determine case outcomes.
Eminent Domain in the Philippines: Why RTCs Always Have Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that expropriation suits are incapable of pecuniary estimation, so RTCs have exclusive jurisdiction regardless of property value.
Stare Decisis in Property Disputes: Tala Realty vs. Banco Filipino
How the Supreme Court applied stare decisis to settle a property dispute between Tala Realty and Banco Filipino over conflicting lease contracts.
Ex Parte Writs of Possession After Judgment: Property Rights Under Philippine Law
Understand when Philippine courts may issue ex parte writs of possession after execution sales, redemption periods expire, and titles consolidate.