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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Untimely Action Statute OF Limitations Bars Revival OF Stale Judgment
Compromise After Judgment Navigating Redemption Rights IN Agrarian Disputes
Contract of Legal Services: When a Mayor's Authority Binds a Municipality
Supreme Court ruling on when a municipal mayor's contract binds the LGU, limits of Sangguniang Bayan authorization, and judgment on the pleadings.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Does Not Amount to Extrinsic Fraud: Amihan Bus Lines v. Romars
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's mistakes can justify annulment of judgment, and when clients must bear the consequences.
Attorney Negligence and Extrinsic Fraud: The Limits of Legal Recourse in Philippine Law
When a lawyer's negligence costs a client the case, can the judgment be annulled? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on extrinsic fraud.
Personal Liability of Corporate Officers: Limits on Altering Final Labor Judgments
When can corporate officers be personally liable in labor cases? The Supreme Court clarifies limits on modifying final judgments.
Finality of Execution Sale: Failure to Redeem Vests Indefeasible Rights
When a judgment debtor fails to redeem property within the one-year period, the execution sale becomes final and the purchaser gains indefeasible rights.
Annulment of Judgment in Philippine Law: Why Procedural Remedies Must Come First
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that annulment of judgment under Rule 47 requires exhausting ordinary remedies first, or the petition fails.
Finality of Judgment Bars Post-Disbarment Motions: Supreme Court Enforces Restitution Order
Supreme Court enforces disbarred lawyer's restitution order, citing finality of judgment and citing him for indirect contempt.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: Lessons from Bihag v. Era
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's attempt to reopen a final judgment, citing the doctrine of immutability of judgment and citing him for indirect contempt.
Finality Prevails Reaffirming HRET Discretion in Electoral Protests
Supreme Court affirms HRET's discretion in ballot revision and upholds finality of judgments in election protests.
Death and Dismissal: Examining Survival of Civil Liability in Criminal Cases After Accused's Demise
When an accused dies before final judgment, criminal liability is extinguished. But civil liability may survive—under certain conditions.
When Modified Judgments Can Be Appealed: Protecting Litigants' Rights
Learn when a modified Court of Appeals decision is appealable to the Supreme Court and how litigants' rights are protected in civil procedure.
Finality Prevails: Citizenship Challenges Barred After Judgment in Property Disputes
A losing party cannot raise a buyer's citizenship after judgment becomes final. The Supreme Court explains why res judicata bars such challenges.
Res Judicata and Final Judgments: What Torres v. Medina Means for Litigants
The Supreme Court explains when a final judgment bars a new lawsuit, using a foreclosure dispute to illustrate res judicata's elements and limits.
Finality of Election Protest Decisions: Protecting the Electorate's Will Over Technicalities
When election protest appeals are dismissed, the trial court's decision becomes final. COMELEC cannot issue injunctions against final judgments.
Illegal Dismissal Damages: Computing Backwages Until Judgment Becomes Final
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how backwages and separation pay are computed in illegal dismissal cases, including when the computation period ends and interest applies.
Reckoning Backwages and Separation Pay: Finality of Illegal Dismissal Judgments
When illegal dismissal judgments become final, backwages and separation pay must be computed up to that date, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Upholding Judicial Independence: Protecting Judges From Collateral Attacks on Final Judgments
The Supreme Court shields its members from collateral attacks via criminal complaints, reaffirming that only it can declare its own judgments unjust.
Sheriffs Must Follow Rules in Executing Money Judgments
A sheriff's failure to remit collected judgment payments to the clerk of court led to a one-year suspension. Learn the proper procedure under Rule 39.
When Notice to Counsel Binds the Client: Due Process in Philippine Administrative Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains why notice to a deputized counsel binds the government client, and what this means for due process and finality of judgments.
Re-Computation of Monetary Awards in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Ensuring Complete Relief
The Supreme Court clarifies that monetary awards in illegal dismissal cases may be recomputed up to finality of judgment, ensuring full relief.
Certiorari as an Improper Remedy: Navigating Procedural Missteps in Foreclosure Annulment
When a final judgment can be appealed, certiorari is not available. Learn the procedural rules from a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Finality of Judgments in Forcible Entry: Why Prohibited Motions Do Not Stop the Clock
A motion for reconsideration is prohibited in summary procedure cases and does not stop the appeal period. Learn the rules and the doctrine of immutability of judgments.