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 Boundaries Defining Regulatory Authority Over Gaming Operations in Economic Zones
Supreme Court clarifies limits of judicial courtesy, territorial jurisdiction, and regulatory authority over gaming operations in economic zones.
Ancestral Land Disputes and the NCIP's Jurisdictional Limits in the Philippines
Understand when the NCIP has jurisdiction over ancestral land disputes and when courts or other agencies must hear the case.
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Jurisdiction First, Liability Later
Supreme Court clarifies that courts must first acquire jurisdiction over a corporation before applying the piercing the corporate veil doctrine to hold owners liable.
Venue vs Jurisdiction: When Courts Cannot Dismiss Probate Cases
The Supreme Court clarifies that improper venue is not a ground for motu proprio dismissal of probate cases, distinguishing venue from jurisdiction.
GSIS Board Jurisdiction Limited in Housing Loan Disputes: Key Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court clarifies GSIS Board of Trustees lacks exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes involving contract enforcement and damages.
GSIS Jurisdiction Over Housing Loan Disputes: The Rafael Case
The Supreme Court clarifies when GSIS has exclusive jurisdiction over housing loan disputes and when courts may take cognizance of contractual claims.
Estate vs Trustee: Intestate Courts Cannot Decide Ownership Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that intestate courts lack jurisdiction to adjudicate ownership of properties claimed by third parties under adverse title.
Jurisdiction Limits Intestate Courts AND Ownership Disputes IN Estate Proceedings
Dismissed Electric Cooperative GM Can't Claim Retirement: NEA Jurisdiction Ruling
Supreme Court affirms NEA's exclusive jurisdiction over electric cooperative GM retirement claims, forfeiting benefits upon valid dismissal.
Annulment of Judgment: Jurisdiction vs. Exercise of Authority in Land Title Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between lack of jurisdiction and excess of jurisdiction in annulment of judgment cases involving land titles.
Tenant Rights vs Landowner Control: Clarifying Agrarian Dispute Jurisdiction in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts must refer ejectment cases to the DAR and what the DAR certification must contain.
Challenging Land Titles: Jurisdiction and Collateral Attacks Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may hear challenges to land titles, and when such actions amount to prohibited collateral attacks.
DARAB Jurisdiction Over Agrarian Land Disputes and Beneficiary Rights
Supreme Court clarifies DARAB jurisdiction over agrarian disputes and farmer-beneficiary rights even after title issuance.
When Delay Becomes Inordinate: Ombudsman's Slow Probe Nullifies Graft Indictment
The Supreme Court nullified a graft indictment against Southern Leyte officials, ruling the Ombudsman's 1,370-day preliminary investigation violated their right to speedy disposition.
Corporate Disputes: Navigating Derivative Suits and Jurisdictional Boundaries in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when derivative suits are proper and how jurisdictional boundaries apply in corporate disputes.
Agrarian Dispute vs Ejectment: Who Has Jurisdiction Over Land Disputes in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when forcible entry cases over agricultural lands belong to the courts or the DARAB.
Understanding the Binding Nature of Compromise Agreements in Philippine Law
A look at City of Bacolod v. Sugarland Hotel, where the Supreme Court affirmed that a memorandum of understanding is a binding contract, and explored estoppel and jurisdictional challenges.
When a Corporate Dispute Is Not Intra-Corporate: Tortious Interference and Court Jurisdiction
The Supreme Court clarifies when a suit for tortious interference against third parties is an ordinary civil action, not an intra-corporate dispute.
Tortious Interference vs. Intra-Corporate Dispute: Jurisdiction in Corporate Conflicts
The Supreme Court clarifies when a corporate conflict is a civil tort case or an intra-corporate dispute, and which court has jurisdiction.
Navigating the Jurisdictional Maze: How Venue Affects Foreign Divorce Recognition in the Philippines
A Filipino spouse seeking recognition of a foreign divorce must file in the right venue. Learn from a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Customs Jurisdiction and Forum Shopping in Importation Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies CTA jurisdiction over customs seizure cases and when forum shopping does not apply in importation disputes.
Unconscionable Interest Rates and Jurisdictional Amount in Loan Agreements
When does accrued interest count toward the jurisdictional amount? The Supreme Court clarifies in Domasian v. Demdam.
Ancestral Domain Disputes Between Same Indigenous Community: NCIP Jurisdiction Explained
When both parties belong to the same indigenous cultural community, the NCIP—not regular courts—has jurisdiction over ancestral domain disputes.
When Can CLOAs Be Cancelled? A Philippine Supreme Court Guide
The Supreme Court explains when agrarian reform titles (CLOAs) can be cancelled despite indefeasibility, and which tribunal has jurisdiction.