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.
Breach of Contract and Damages: Airline's Duty to Honor Ticket Terms
The Supreme Court held an airline liable for breach of contract and damages after it refused to honor the rebooking terms printed on a passenger's ticket.
Abandonment of Work and Due Process: When Dismissal Is Valid but Still Costs the Employer
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that abandoning work is a just cause for dismissal, but employers who skip the two-notice rule still pay nominal damages.
Due Process vs Abandonment: Balancing Employee Rights in Termination Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that valid dismissal for abandonment still requires due process; employers must pay nominal damages for notice violations.
Breach of Contract and Delay Damages in Construction Projects: Uy v. Public Estates Authority
A Supreme Court ruling on contractor claims for delay damages, standby equipment costs, and the strict written-change-order rule under Article 1724.
U-Turn Negligence: When a Sudden Maneuver Establishes Fault in Vehicle Collisions
A sudden U-turn without signal lights can establish negligence and proximate cause in a vehicle collision, making the driver and employer liable for damages.
Actual Malice and Media Responsibility in Reporting on Public Figures
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that public figures must prove actual malice to claim damages for false news reports.
Filing a Baseless Suit Does Not Automatically Mean Paying Damages: Delos Santos v. Papa
The Supreme Court clarifies that losing a lawsuit does not automatically entitle the winning party to moral and exemplary damages.
Upholding Due Process in Termination: Nominal Damages for Procedural Lapses
When dismissal has just cause but lacks due process, employers pay nominal damages. Learn the twin notice rule.
Just Cause vs Due Process: What Bacolod-Talisay Realty Teaches About Employee Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on dismissal with just cause but defective procedure, explaining nominal damages for employees.
Supreme Court Upholds Ejectment for Lease Violation Despite Late Position Paper
SC rules on unlawful detainer, late position papers under summary procedure, and damages recoverable in ejectment cases.
Demolishing a Leased Property Without Consent: Ejectment and Damages in Philippine Law
A lessee who demolished a leased house without the lessor's consent was validly ejected. Learn the rules on lease violations, damages, and summary procedure.
Shared Intent, Shared Liability: Understanding Conspiracy in Philippine Murder Cases
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on murder, treachery, and voluntary surrender shows how intent and circumstance shape criminal liability and damages.
Murder Conviction Upheld: Treachery, Voluntary Surrender, and Damages Rules Clarified
SC clarifies treachery, voluntary surrender, and damages in murder cases, affirming reclusion perpetua for a bolo attack.
OFW Death Liability: Protecting Overseas Workers and Ensuring Accountability
Supreme Court ruling holds recruitment agencies solidarily liable for OFW deaths, imposing moral and exemplary damages for abandoning workers in distress.
Deceptive Recruitment: When Promises of Overseas Jobs Lead to Criminal Liability
The Supreme Court holds recruitment agencies liable for moral damages when they abandon distressed OFWs and make baseless claims of suicide.
Quasi-Delict Liability in Vehicular Accidents: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
Learn how the Supreme Court applied quasi-delict rules in a vehicular accident case, clarifying negligence, vicarious liability, and damages.
Proving Conspiracy in Civil Cases: Dutch Boy Philippines v. Seniel
A look at Dutch Boy Philippines v. Seniel on the burden of proving conspiracy in civil cases and the rules on damages awards.
Breach of Contract and Bad Faith: Airlines' Liability for Downgraded Seats
Philippine Airlines held liable for downgrading a passenger's business class seat to economy, with the Supreme Court affirming damages for breach of contract in bad faith.
Forum Shopping in Mortgage Disputes: When Causes of Action Differ
Supreme Court clarifies when simultaneous mortgage foreclosure and damages suits do not constitute forum shopping, explaining the test for identity of causes of action.
Treachery and Unlicensed Firearms Raise Murder Penalty in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how treachery and unlicensed firearms affect murder liability, penalties, and damages.
Homicide and Self-Defense: Burden of Proof and Mitigating Circumstances
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why self-defense must be proven by the accused and how courts assess voluntary surrender and damages in homicide cases.
Judicial Admissions: When a Lawyer's Statement Binds the Client in Lease and Contract Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on judicial admissions, binding statements, and liability in contract disputes involving lost cargo and damages.
Wrongful Termination at Sea: Seafarers’ Right to Due Process and Just Cause
SC ruling: a just-cause dismissal of a seafarer is valid even without due process, but the employer must pay P30,000 nominal damages.
Seafarer Misconduct and Due Process: Balancing Just Cause With Procedural Rights in Maritime Employment
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seafarers dismissed for just cause without procedural due process get nominal damages, not reinstatement.