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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Revival of Proceedings Ensuring Fair Trial Rights Despite Procedural Technicalities
Supreme Court rules courts must relax procedural rules in contempt cases to protect due process and fair hearing rights.
Live Media Coverage of Trials in the Philippines: The Maguindanao Massacre Precedent
The Supreme Court's landmark 2011 ruling allowing live broadcast of the Maguindanao Massacre trial, balancing press freedom with fair trial rights.
Eyewitness Identification VS Constitutional Rights Safeguarding Fair Trials IN Criminal Cases
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in Illegal Drug Cases
The Supreme Court acquits a drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, emphasizing strict compliance with RA 9165's evidence safeguards.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Preserving Evidence Integrity for a Fair Trial
How the Supreme Court in Balarbar v. People clarified that minor gaps in drug evidence handling do not automatically void a conviction.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Ensuring Integrity of Evidence for a Fair Trial
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect where prosecution failed to prove unbroken chain of custody of seized shabu under RA 9165.
Chain OF Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence AND Ensuring Fair Trials
Chain of Custody Safeguarding Drug Evidence and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
How the Supreme Court acquitted a drug suspect when police broke Section 21's chain of custody rules, protecting the accused's right to a fair trial.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails: Fair Trial Standards in Philippine Drug Cases
Supreme Court acquits drug suspect when buy-bust evidence is riddled with inconsistencies, reaffirming the presumption of innocence and the objective test.
Ensuring Fair Trials: Addressing Allegations of Bias and Partiality in Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court dismisses an administrative complaint against a judge for alleged bias, clarifying when a judge's adverse rulings amount to partiality and when they do not.
Right to Present Evidence Ensures Fair Trial Despite Counsel's Absence
Supreme Court rules that a client's right to present evidence cannot be sacrificed due to counsel's absence, ensuring fair trial.
Gross Negligence of Counsel Can Justify New Trial in Criminal Cases
When a lawyer's gross negligence deprives an accused of due process, courts may reopen the case for a fair trial.
Right to Speedy Disposition of Cases: A Cornerstone of Fair Trial in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains the right to speedy disposition of cases and why delays alone do not violate the Constitution.
Right TO Counsel AND DUE Process Ensuring A Fair Trial IN Criminal Cases
Age Verification in Rape Cases: Protecting Children and Ensuring Fair Trials
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on age verification in rape cases, balancing child protection with the accused's right to a fair trial.
Rape and Due Process: Fair Trial Rights in Philippine Rape Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how trial judges may question witnesses in rape cases without violating the accused's right to a fair trial.
Dead Man's Statute: Protecting Estates and Ensuring Fair Trials in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies the Dead Man's Statute's scope, balancing estate protection against fair trial rights in claims against deceased persons.
Fair Trial Rights in Philippine Criminal Cases: What the Dy Case Teaches
The Supreme Court clarifies due process, arraignment, and fair trial rights in criminal cases through the Dy ruling.
Suggestive Identification Taints Conviction: Safeguarding Fair Trials in Philippine Criminal Law
The Supreme Court acquits a robbery-homicide convict because a suggestive mug shot tainted eyewitness identification, reaffirming the need for fair trials.
Rape Shield Laws Protecting Victims AND Ensuring Fair Trials IN THE Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on rape cases clarifies that exact dates need not be alleged, but victim's minority must be for death penalty.
Gross Negligence of Counsel Reopening Cases for Fair Trial
When a lawyer's gross negligence deprives a client of a fair trial, courts may reopen the case to serve justice.
Publicity vs Fair Trial: Reassessing Damages in Heinous Crime Convictions
The Supreme Court clarifies that pervasive media coverage does not automatically deny an accused a fair trial, and adjusts excessive damage awards.
Balancing Fair Trial Rights and Public Access: The Estrada Trial Audio-Visual Recording Ruling
The Supreme Court's 2001 ruling on the Estrada trial balanced fair trial rights with public access, allowing delayed audio-visual recordings while prohibiting live broadcast.
Cameras in Court: The Estrada Trial and the Right to a Fair Hearing
Explaining the Supreme Court's ruling on live TV coverage of the Estrada trial, balancing public information against the accused's right to a fair trial.