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.
Priority of Attachment Liens Over Prior Unregistered Sales of Real Property
When an attachment lien is registered before a sale, the lien prevails. Learn the priority rules under PD 1529.
Corporations Cannot Acquire Public Land: T.A.N. Properties v. Republic
The Supreme Court denies a corporation's land registration application, ruling that private corporations cannot acquire alienable public lands under the Constitution.
Disbarred Lawyer Cited for Contempt After Defying Order to Return Funds
The Supreme Court denied with finality a disbarred lawyer's bid to reopen his case and cited him for indirect contempt for refusing to return funds to his former client.
Attorney Misconduct: When a Lawyer's Absence Constitutes Negligence
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's absence from proceedings amounts to negligence, and the limits of a client's remedy.
Attorneys Conflict OF Interest Upholding Client Loyalty AND Confidentiality
Attorney Suspended for Neglect and Mishandling Client's Property
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for two years for failing to render legal services, returning money late, and withholding client's title and documents.
Reconstitution of Titles: Limits on Register of Deeds Authority and Third Party Rights
When titles are reconstituted after fire, the Register of Deeds cannot annotate liens omitted from the new certificates without court order.
Register of Deeds Cannot Re-Annotate Liens Omitted from Reconstituted Titles
Supreme Court rules Register of Deeds lacks authority to re-annotate liens omitted from reconstituted Torrens titles; court petition required.
Duty to Inform Counsels Negligence and Finality of Judgments in Construction Disputes
Learn how a counsel's failure to report a change of address can bind clients and make a Court of Appeals decision final and executory.
Upholding Client Trust Attorney Suspended FOR Neglecting Case AND Failing TO File Appellants Brief
Land Registration AND THE Burden OF Proof Establishing Alienability AND Disposability
Untimely Appeal Dooms Land Dispute: Finality of Judgments and Prior Registered Liens
The Court explains when a missed appeal is fatal, why judgments must become final, and how a registered execution levy beats an unregistered sale.
Land Registration: Proving Public Lands Are Alienable and Disposable
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why applicants must prove public lands are alienable and disposable before registration.
Proof of Alienability Required: Land Registration Denied Without Government Certification
Supreme Court denies land registration where applicant failed to prove the property was alienable and disposable public land.
The Binding Nature of Counsel's Negligence: Implications for Litigants
Explore how counsel's negligence binds clients in Philippine litigation, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gulmatico v. People.
Client Bound by Counsel's Negligence: Lessons from a Philippine Attorney Ethics Case
A Supreme Court ruling on how a lawyer's failure to update addresses and clients' duty to monitor cases affect finality of judgments.
Lawyer Suspended for Misappropriating Client Funds and Deceiving Client About Judge
A lawyer's two-year suspension for misappropriating client funds and falsely claiming payments to a judge, explained in plain language.
When Attorney Neglect Leads to Disbarment: Upholding Client Trust and Competence
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer whose repeated failure to file appeal briefs cost his client millions, underscoring a lawyer's duty of competence and diligence.
When Counsel's Negligence Binds the Client: Lessons from Pfizer v. Galan
A 2007 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a lawyer's procedural lapse binds the client in labor disputes and when courts may relax the rules.
Disbarment for Government Lawyers: Ethical Standards and Public Trust
A PAO lawyer's disbarment for accepting private cases and fees while in government service, and for deceiving a client.
Lawyer Disbarred for Accepting Private Cases and Fees While in Government Service
Supreme Court disbars PAO lawyer for taking private cases and attorney's fees, violating ethical rules and deceiving a client.
Binding Counsel's Negligence: Finality of Judgments and Limits to Annulment
A client is bound by counsel's negligence, and a final judgment cannot be attacked through annulment when other remedies were available.
From Public Land to Private Right: Establishing Land Ownership Through Acquisitive Prescription
How long possession of alienable public land can ripen into private ownership, explained through a 2007 Supreme Court ruling.
Breach of Confidentiality: When Attorney-Client Privilege Survives Friendship
The Supreme Court held that a lawyer-client relationship arises the moment legal advice is sought, even between friends and without a retainer or formal engagement.