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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Prescription vs Possession: Quieting Title and Indefeasibility in Land Disputes
Explore how prescription, possession, and indefeasibility of title interact in land disputes, and what the Supreme Court ruled on jurisdiction.
Corporate Veil and Jurisdiction in Ill-Gotten Wealth Cases: UBC v. Sandiganbayan
When a company is merely the res of an ill-gotten wealth case, it need not be impleaded, and the Sandiganbayan retains jurisdiction over it.
Immoral Conduct and Due Process in Termination Cases: Balancing Employer Rights and Employee Protection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal dismissal clarifies labor arbiter jurisdiction, just cause requirements, and due process in termination disputes.
Jurisdictional Estoppel When Active Participation Bars Jurisdictional Challenges
The Supreme Court rules that active participation in SEC proceedings bars later jurisdictional challenges, and clarifies the mandatory tender offer rule.
Labor Arbiter Jurisdiction Over Employee Claims: Incon Industrial Corp. Case
When do labor claims belong to the Labor Arbiter, not the RTC? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdictional boundaries in Incon Industrial Corp.
Custody Habeas Corpus: Family Courts and the Court of Appeals Share Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies that family courts do not have exclusive jurisdiction over habeas corpus petitions involving child custody disputes.
Concurrent Jurisdiction Safeguarding Minors Across Regions in Habeas Corpus Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that family courts share concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court in habeas corpus cases involving custody of minors.
Custody of Minors and Habeas Corpus: Understanding Court Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies that family courts and the Court of Appeals share concurrent jurisdiction over habeas corpus petitions involving custody of minors.
Jurisdictional Reach, Voluntary Submission, and the Limits of Summons in Unlawful Detainer Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies how courts determine jurisdiction in possession cases, distinguishing unlawful detainer from accion publiciana and the limits of voluntary submission.
Upholding Contractual Obligations: The Validity of a Special Power of Attorney in Property Transfers
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies jurisdiction in property disputes, the statute of frauds, and rights of first refusal in Philippine real estate law.
Perfecting Your Appeal Understanding Jurisdictional Requirements IN Philippine Courts
A look at how the Supreme Court treats compromise agreements after a petition is denied, and what this means for litigants in the Philippines.
Union Elections: Due Process and Membership Rights in Internal Disputes
The Supreme Court rules on due process in union elections, BLR jurisdiction over intra-union disputes, and members' rights.
When a Judge Oversteps: Jurisdiction, Due Process, and the Case of Judge Rojas
A judge who issued a TRO against a co-equal agency's final ruling and ignored indispensable parties was suspended for gross ignorance of the law.
Continuing SEC Jurisdiction Resolving Corporate Liquidation Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies SEC retains jurisdiction over pending corporate suspension and liquidation cases filed before June 30, 2000.
Unlawful Detainer Cases: Jurisdiction, Demand Requirements, and the Perils of Procedural Lapses
Understand the Laraño v. Calendacion ruling on unlawful detainer jurisdiction, demand requirements, and why procedural compliance matters in ejectment cases.
Unlawful Detainer Demand TO Vacate IS Jurisdictional
Jurisdictional Thresholds Determining Court Competence Over Monetary Claims
Breach of Promise or Employment Contract: Who Has Jurisdiction Over Damage Claims?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a damage claim for breach of employment promise belongs to regular courts, not the NLRC.
Employer Liability for Employee Negligence: When Courts Can Intervene in Reorganization
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on employer liability for employee negligence, jurisdictional amounts in damage suits, and contributory negligence.
Service of Summons on Corporations: When Courts Acquire Jurisdiction
Learn when Philippine courts acquire jurisdiction over a corporation—valid service of summons or voluntary appearance—from Orion Security v. Kalfam.
Contract Rescission and RTC Jurisdiction: Lessons from Villena v. Payoyo
When rescinding a contract is the primary remedy, the case belongs in the Regional Trial Court—even if the monetary claim is small.
When Courts Can't Bind Non-Parties: Indispensable Parties and Jurisdiction in Injunction Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on indispensable parties, jurisdiction, and why judgments cannot bind strangers to a case.
Concurrent Jurisdiction in Administrative Cases: Protecting Teachers' Rights Under RA 4670
The Supreme Court clarifies how the Ombudsman and DECS share jurisdiction over administrative cases involving public school teachers.
When Jurisdiction Attaches: The Ombudsman vs. DECS in Public School Teacher Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies which agency has jurisdiction over administrative cases against public school teachers, explaining the limits of the Ombudsman's disciplinary authority.