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.
Untangling Tax Assessment Appeals: Deadlines and Excusable Neglect
A bank missed the 30-day window to appeal its tax assessment to the CTA. The Supreme Court explains why deadlines are jurisdictional and when relief is unavailable.
Employee Termination: Just Cause and Due Process Under Philippine Law
The Supreme Court clarifies the standards for valid employee termination in the Philippines, focusing on just cause and due process requirements.
Why Exhausting Administrative Remedies Matters in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn from a 2006 Supreme Court ruling why skipping administrative appeals before going to court can be fatal to a property case.
Attorney Negligence: Failing to File a Pre-Trial Brief in the Philippines
When a lawyer's failure to file a pre-trial brief leads to case dismissal, the Supreme Court may impose disciplinary sanctions. Learn the rules.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Leads to Suspension: The Adecer v. Akut Case
A lawyer who misses the deadline for filing a client's petition for probation faces administrative liability, even if the client was also negligent.
Attorney Negligence in the Philippines: Upholding Client Trust and Diligence
A lawyer's failure to file a memorandum and return a client's money order leads to reprimand, reaffirming duties of diligence and fidelity.
Preventing Spurious Bail Bonds: Court Employee Accountability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court holds court personnel accountable for negligence that allowed spurious bail bonds and release orders to free detained prisoners.
Due Process for Probationary Employees Navigating Termination and Notice Requirements in Philippine Labor Law
Understand the due process rights of probationary employees in the Philippines, including termination rules, notice requirements, and legal remedies.
Psychological Incapacity in Philippine Annulment: Why Expert Evidence Is Crucial
Philippine Supreme Court explains why expert evidence is crucial in psychological incapacity annulment cases under Article 36 of the Family Code.
Lawyer's Inaction Causing Case Dismissal Is Professional Misconduct: Agustin v. Empleo
Philippine Supreme Court reprimands a lawyer for four years of inaction on a court order, resulting in case dismissal. Know the duty.
Probable Cause in Search Warrants: The Judge's Duty Beyond Issuance
A judge's duty in search warrants does not end with signing—probable cause requires probing examination and post-issuance oversight.
Sheriffs Duty AND Execution OF Judgments WHY Following Procedure Matters
A sheriff's deviation from execution procedure, even without malice, can lead to administrative liability. Learn the rules.
Single Act, Multiple Charges: Duplicity and Double Jeopardy in Philippine Environmental Law
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling that one act can violate several environmental laws without violating double jeopardy protections.
Delay in Resolving Motions: Judicial Efficiency and Due Process in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court holds judges accountable for undue delay in resolving motions, balancing judicial efficiency with due process.
Sheriff Duties in Executing Writs: Notice to Vacate and Money Judgment Enforcement
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies sheriff duties on notice to vacate and enforcing money judgments in executions, citing Rule 39.
Supreme Court Dismisses Sheriff for Dishonesty and Grave Misconduct
Learn how the Supreme Court upheld a sheriff's dismissal for dishonesty, extortion, and neglect—and what this means for court personnel integrity.
Clerk of Court's Duty: Why Proper Case Classification Matters in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk's duty to classify cases correctly, and why the body of a pleading matters more than its caption.
Protecting Your Pawned Items: Understanding Proper Auction Procedures in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts protect judgment debtors' property through strict rules on sheriff auctions, garnishment, and payment handling.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Why Choosing the Right Court Matters
Learn how Philippine courts penalize lawyer negligence and forum shopping, and why choosing the right court protects your case.
Poor Performance vs Neglect: Defining Just Cause for Employee Termination in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when poor work performance justifies termination and when it does not, explaining the legal distinction.
Neglect of Duty and Insubordination in the Judiciary: A Lesson from a Process Server's Suspension
When a court process server repeatedly fails to serve summonses and disobeys orders, the Supreme Court steps in to uphold accountability.
When Are Clients Bound by Their Lawyer’s Actions? Philippine Supreme Court Explains
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when a client is bound by a lawyer's negligence or refusal to receive court notices.
Sheriffs Neglect of Duty and the Consequences of Delayed Writ Execution in the Philippines
A sheriff's failure to execute a writ with reasonable dispatch is gross neglect of duty, carrying severe administrative penalties.
Habitual Absenteeism and Neglect of Duty: When Is Termination Justified in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when habitual absenteeism and neglect of duty justify dismissal, and the price employers pay for skipping due process.