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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Jurisdictional Error: Appealing to the Wrong Court in Anti-Graft Cases
Learn how filing a COA appeal to the wrong court can be fatal, using a recent Supreme Court ruling on quantum meruit.
Double Jeopardy AND Court Jurisdiction Reinstating Parricide Charges
CIAC Jurisdiction in Construction Disputes: The Golangco Doctrine on Arbitration Clauses
The Supreme Court clarifies that an arbitration clause in a construction contract automatically vests CIAC with jurisdiction over all disputes arising from it.
Federation Employee Eligibility Navigating Union Governance AND Election Rules
Supreme Court ruling on federation employees running for union office, election jurisdiction, and the binding force of constitutions.
Appeal Dismissed: Failure to Post Appeal Bond Is Jurisdictional Defect in Labor Cases
Learn why failing to post an appeal bond in labor cases is a jurisdictional defect that can cost you your appeal.
Premature Legal Action: Understanding Ripeness in Declaratory Relief Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a declaratory relief case is premature and how the doctrine of primary jurisdiction applies.
Lis Pendens Cancellation: Which Court Has Jurisdiction Over Property Disputes
Learn which court can cancel a notice of lis pendens in Philippine property disputes, based on a 2010 Supreme Court ruling.
Limits of DARAB Jurisdiction: Certiorari Power and Agrarian Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction limits, certiorari power, and the finality of agrarian dispute decisions in just compensation cases.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Land Sale Disputes Involving CARP-Covered Agricultural Lands
The Supreme Court clarifies when DARAB, not regular courts, has jurisdiction over disputes involving sales of agricultural lands under CARP coverage.
Navigating Libel in the Digital Age: Defining Jurisdiction in Online Defamation
The Supreme Court clarifies where online libel cases may be filed, ruling that mere internet access does not determine venue.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: SAC Jurisdiction and Land Valuation Rules
Explains why the Special Agrarian Court has exclusive jurisdiction over just compensation cases and how land valuation is finally determined under RA 6657.
Customs VS Courts Resolving Jurisdictional Conflicts IN Import Seizures
When the Bureau of Customs seizes imported goods, courts cannot interfere. This case explains the exclusive jurisdiction rule.
Upholding Possession Jurisdiction in Forcible Entry Cases and the Significance of Juridical Acts
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forcible entry jurisdiction, possession through juridical acts, and the one-year prescriptive period.
Forcible Entry Jurisdiction: When Stealth Extends the One-Year Filing Period
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on forcible entry jurisdiction, stealth dispossession, and the one-year filing period in Nuñez v. SLTEAS Phoenix Solutions.
Appeals From the NWRB: Clarifying Jurisdiction Between the RTC and Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court clarifies that appeals from National Water Resources Board decisions go to the Court of Appeals, not the RTC.
Who Picks Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries? The DAR, Not DARAB, Decides
Supreme Court clarifies that the DAR Secretary—not DARAB—has exclusive jurisdiction to identify and select qualified CARP farmer-beneficiaries.
Energy Sector Disputes Clarifying Jurisdiction Between the ERC and DOE
Supreme Court clarifies which agency hears energy disputes: the ERC's jurisdiction is limited, while the DOE handles distribution issues.
Special Agrarian Court Jurisdiction: Province-Wide, Not Just Local
Just compensation cases may be heard by the designated Special Agrarian Court anywhere in the province, even outside its regular territory.
Determining Agrarian Disputes Jurisdiction Between DARAB and DAR Secretary
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when the DARAB, not the DAR Secretary, has jurisdiction over agrarian disputes involving OLT coverage.
Collective Bargaining Agreements and Voluntary Arbitration in Labor Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on CBA disputes, grievance machinery, and voluntary arbitration jurisdiction in labor cases.
When Government Corporations Are Not Employers: The LRTA Case on Labor Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when government-owned corporations with original charters fall outside labor arbiter jurisdiction, using the LRTA-METRO case.
Employer-Employee Relationship Defines Labor Jurisdiction in Contractual Arrangements
When does a government-owned corporation become liable for a contractor's employees? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules.
Understanding Reasonable Doubt and Guilty Pleas in Philippine Criminal Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on guilty pleas, territorial jurisdiction, and conviction based on evidence rather than plea alone.
Jurisdictional Estoppel When Participation Waives Objections in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how active participation in trial can bar a party from later questioning the court's jurisdiction in property cases.