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.
Compromise Agreements Upholding Judicial Decisions AND Preventing Reneging ON Obligations
When a compromise agreement is approved by the court, can a party later back out? This case explains the binding effect of such agreements.
Compromise Agreements and Redemption Rights in Philippine Tax Delinquency Sales
Supreme Court ruling on compromise agreements, tax delinquency redemption, and substantial compliance in Philippine property law.
Voluntary Agreement IS KEY Understanding Valid Arbitration IN Philippine Barangay Dispute Resolution
Learn how the Supreme Court treats compromise agreements as binding law, and how filing a second case can constitute forum shopping.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Why Timing Matters in Philippine Property Expropriation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in expropriation is valued at the time of filing or taking, whichever comes first.
Compromise Agreements and Employee Rights: When Settlements Don't Erase Prior Illegal Dismissals
A compromise agreement settles monetary claims but doesn't erase a prior ruling of illegal dismissal, especially for non-signatories.
Tax Refund vs Deficiency: The Rules on Set-Off in Philippine Tax Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when tax refunds can be set off against tax deficiencies, and the limits of compromise agreements in tax settlements.
Stare Decisis in Philippine Courts: How Prior Rulings Bind Future Cases
The Supreme Court applies stare decisis to bar relitigation of the Pepsi The decision demonstrates how prior rulings on the same controversy can bar subsequent claims and promote consistency in the ad
Compromise Agreements: Who Is Actually Bound by a Settlement?
A compromise agreement binds only its signatories. Learn how the Supreme Court protected a co-maker not named in the settlement.
Meralco Billing Dispute: Tax Credit Assignments and Tampered Meter Claims
Supreme Court ruling on Meralco's interest charges on tax credit assignments and differential billing for alleged meter tampering.
Compromise Agreements and Illegitimate Filiation: When Courts Nullify Judgments
When can a court decision be nullified? Learn from a landmark case on compromise agreements, illegitimate filiation, and extrinsic fraud.
When a Judge Goes Too Far: Territorial Limits on Philippine Court Proceedings
A judge held liable for conducting court proceedings in the US without authority, explaining the territorial limits of Philippine courts.
Bona Fide Purchaser Valid Title Despite Prior Defects
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how an innocent purchaser for value holds valid title even if earlier land titles were defective.
Agrarian Reform vs Civil Lease: Jurisdiction Over Fishponds Explained
When does a fishpond dispute fall under agrarian reform, not civil courts? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules.
Judicial Stability vs Land Disputes: Resolving Conflicting Property Rights Claims
The Supreme Court explains how the doctrine of judicial stability bars courts from interfering with co-equal courts' judgments in property disputes.
Compromise Agreements Upholding Obligations AND Equitable Relief IN Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sale-leaseback arrangements, equitable mortgages, and deed of assignment effects on debtor obligations.
Finality of Compromise Agreements: Binding Share Valuation in Corporate Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise agreements, finality of appraisals, and binding share valuation in corporate disputes.
Compromise Agreements and Court Approval in Property Disputes: The PPA v. Maranan Case
The Supreme Court approves a compromise agreement in Philippine Ports Authority v. Maranan, showing how amicable settlements can end property disputes.
Intervention Denied: The Ancillary Nature of Intervention in Settled Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court explains why intervention cannot proceed once the main case is settled and terminated.
Compromise Agreements Enforceability and Third Party Rights in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on spousal consortium, habeas corpus, and the limits of court-ordered cohabitation under the Family Code.
The Perils of Compromise When Legal Counsel Exceeds Authority in Criminal Cases
Learn how defective pretrial notice can void default judgments and why counsel's authority to compromise has strict limits.
Res Judicata and Final Judgments: Why Property Disputes Cannot Be Relitigated
The Supreme Court explains how res judicata bars relitigating property disputes, using the Avisado v. Rumbaua case as a guide.
Sublessees Rights Establishing Superiority Over THE Original Lessors Claim IN Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when sublessees can assert rights superior to an original lessor's claim in property disputes.
Compromise Agreements in the Philippines: Why You Need a Special Power of Attorney
A lawyer cannot compromise a client's case without a special power of attorney. Learn the rules from a Supreme Court ruling.
Tenant Rights Prevail: Security of Tenure in Agrarian Reform Disputes
The Supreme Court affirms that agricultural lessees retain security of tenure under CARL, even when landowners claim conversion or termination of lease.