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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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.
Untimely Filing Dooms VAT Refund Claim Navigating Jurisdictional Deadlines IN TAX Appeals
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.
Electoral Tribunals and Nuisance Candidates: Jurisdiction After Proclamation
The Supreme Court clarifies that the HRET cannot declare a candidate a nuisance candidate once the COMELEC's ruling has become final.
Perfecting Appeals Strict Compliance AND Jurisdictional Requirements IN Philippine LAW
Reconstitution of a Torrens title requires clear proof the certificate was genuine and in force when lost or destroyed.
Jurisdictional Boundaries Determining Competence in Injunction Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that Special Commercial Courts retain general jurisdiction over ordinary civil cases like injunction actions.
Annulment of Judgment in the Philippines: Strict Rules on Extrinsic Fraud and Lack of Jurisdiction
Philippine Supreme Court explains the strict requirements for annulment of judgment, limited to extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction.
Docket Fees and Real Actions: Jurisdictional Requirements in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn how unpaid docket fees and mislabeled complaints affect court jurisdiction in Philippine property cases, based on a 2016 Supreme Court ruling.
Court of Appeals Erred in Dismissing Case Against Monzon: Jurisdiction Acquired Through Counsel
Supreme Court rules CA acquired jurisdiction over respondent through service to counsel of record, reversing dismissal order.
COMELEC Authority Over Election Officers and Execution Pending Appeal Rules
Supreme Court clarifies COMELEC's supervisory power over election officers and when courts lose jurisdiction to order execution pending appeal.
When Courts Lack Jurisdiction: Unlawful Detainer and the Limits of Mandamus in Local Governance
Understand when a case is unlawful detainer vs. accion publiciana, and why jurisdictional errors void court decisions.
PNRC Sui Generis Status and CSC Jurisdiction: Balancing Autonomy and Public Accountability
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that the CSC has appellate jurisdiction over PNRC employees despite the Red Cross's sui generis status.
Protecting Subdivision Open Spaces: HLURB Jurisdiction and Mortgage Validity
Supreme Court rules subdivision open spaces cannot be mortgaged or foreclosed, and HLURB has jurisdiction over such disputes.
Custody Rights in Muslim Divorce: Balancing Shari’a Law and Due Process
The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction and due process in custody disputes arising from Muslim divorce under P.D. 1083.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Annulment of Land Sales Under CARP Coverage
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over annulment of deeds of sale for agricultural lands covered by CARP, even without notice of coverage.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Annulment of Land Sales Without DAR Clearance
The Supreme Court clarifies when the DARAB, not regular courts, has jurisdiction over annulment of land sales and title cancellation in agrarian reform cases.
NCIP Jurisdiction: Protecting Indigenous Rights vs. Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over disputes involving indigenous peoples and non-indigenous parties under IPRA.
Procedural Pitfalls: Why Improper Appeals Can Derail Your Case
Filing a case before the wrong tribunal wastes time and money. Learn how jurisdiction works and why proper procedure matters.
Filing the Right Case: Why Agrarian Dispute Jurisdiction Matters
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why cancellation of CLOAs involving non-tenants belongs to the DAR Secretary, not the DARAB.
Who Hears CLOA Cancellation Cases? The DAR Secretary, Not DARAB, Rules
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that DARAB lacks jurisdiction over CLOA cancellation cases without tenurial disputes; the DAR Secretary decides.
When an Employer's Right to Discipline Becomes Abuse of Rights: PCIB v. Gomez
The Supreme Court rules on when an employer's disciplinary actions cross the line into abuse of rights, clarifying civil court jurisdiction over damages claims.
Finality Prevails: Understanding the Limits of Annulment of Judgment in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when annulment of judgment is available, distinguishing lack of jurisdiction from errors in exercising jurisdiction.
Land Registration Jurisdiction: When Full Trial Beats Summary Proceedings
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when land registration cases need full trial instead of summary proceedings under PD 1529.
Ancestral Domain Disputes NCIP Jurisdiction and the Rights of Non-Indigenous Parties
The Supreme Court clarifies when the NCIP has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes and when regular courts decide cases involving non-indigenous parties.