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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Prescription in Implied Trusts: When Does the Clock Start Ticking
Learn when the prescriptive period for implied trusts begins under Philippine law, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Back Wages and Security of Tenure: Reinstatement After Illegal Dismissal in the Philippine Civil Service
Learn when illegally dismissed government employees can claim back wages, based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling on security of tenure.
When a Lawyer Crosses the Line: The Ban on Acquiring Client Property in Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling explains why lawyers cannot acquire property involved in litigation they handle, even under a contingent fee arrangement.
Challenging NTC Rules: Courts, Not Just Agencies, Can Hear Validity Cases
Supreme Court ruling clarifies that courts have jurisdiction to review NTC regulations issued under quasi-legislative power, without exhausting administrative remedies.
Upholding Attorney Accountability Disciplinary Action FOR Neglect OF Duty AND Deceit
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on lawyer discipline for neglect of duty and deceit, emphasizing ethical standards and client protection.
Equity Powers Ensuring Fairness in Contract Rescission Despite Procedural Gaps
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how courts may order deposit of funds during rescission cases to prevent unjust enrichment.
Judicial Employee Misconduct: Court Integrity Hinges on Proper Conduct
A Supreme Court ruling on court employees accepting money outside their duties, and why proper conduct upholds judicial integrity.
Illegal Dismissal: Full Back Wages Despite Subsequent Employment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: illegally dismissed employees get full back wages, even if they found other work during the dismissal period.
When Court Personnel Fail: Administrative Liability for Delayed Summons Service
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on process servers, clerks of court, and judges liable for delayed summons service in civil cases.
Upholding Accountability: The Duty of Judges to Resolve Cases Promptly
A Supreme Court ruling on judicial delay in resolving a formal offer of exhibits, and the limits of liability for inaccurate certificates of service.
Judicial Accountability: Timely Decisions and Truthful Certificates of Service
A Supreme Court ruling holds a judge liable for a nine-month delay in resolving a routine motion, while dismissing the charge of untruthful service certificates.
Airline Liability: The Ticket-Issuing Carrier Responsible for Your Entire Journey
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: ticket-issuing airlines are principals in contracts of carriage and liable for the acts of partner carriers on any segment.
Rape Conviction Upheld: Mental Capacity and the Meaning of Force and Intimidation
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how force and intimidation in rape are judged, especially when the victim has mental retardation and cannot resist.
Compromise Agreements Upholding Obligations AND Equitable Relief IN Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sale-leaseback arrangements, equitable mortgages, and deed of assignment effects on debtor obligations.
PCGG Authority Over Military Officers and the Limits of Revolutionary Power
Supreme Court ruling on PCGG jurisdiction over military officers, forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth, and the limits of revolutionary power.
Forum Shopping and Due Process in Mortgage Foreclosure: Avoiding Multiple Suits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on forum shopping, due process, and the risks of filing multiple injunction suits in mortgage foreclosure cases.
Strike Legality Balancing Workers Rights AND Procedural Compliance IN Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strike legality, workers' rights, and procedural compliance in labor disputes.
Timely Execution: A Sheriff's Duty to Report and the Consequences of Delay
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling reminds sheriffs that writs of execution must be returned and reported on time, and that delay carries administrative liability.
Incestuous Rape: Moral Ascendancy Replaces Force in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on incestuous rape, where a father's moral ascendancy substitutes for force and intimidation in securing conviction.
Percentage Tax on Pawnshops: Defining Lending Investors Under Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on whether pawnshops are lending investors subject to 5% percentage tax under the NIRC.
Acquisitive Prescription Good Faith AND Just Title IN Land Ownership Disputes
Learn how good faith and just title affect acquisitive prescription in Philippine land ownership disputes, based on Supreme Court rulings.
Timely Justice Reckoning Deadlines In Default Order Motions
Learn how the 90-day period for resolving motions is counted, based on a Supreme Court ruling on default orders.
Environmental Clearance and Exhaustion of Remedies: Protecting Fisherfolk Rights in Minolo Cove
Supreme Court ruling on why fisherfolk must exhaust administrative remedies before challenging an Environmental Clearance Certificate in court.
Airline Passenger Rights: When Rerouting Breaches the Contract of Carriage
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when airlines breach carriage contracts by rerouting passengers without consent, and what damages apply.