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.
Judicial Accountability When Delay Undermines Justice in the Philippines
The Supreme Court holds judges accountable for undue delay, clarifying the line between judicial discretion and administrative liability.
Grave Misconduct of Register of Deeds: When Reliance on Documents Is Not Enough
A Register of Deeds cannot blindly rely on submitted documents. The Supreme Court explains when failure to verify tax payments amounts to grave misconduct.
Sheriffs Duty to Remit Payments and Execute Writs Promptly: Mahusay v. Gareza
A sheriff who withholds collected payments and delays writ execution faces dismissal. The Supreme Court's ruling in Mahusay v. Gareza explained.
Res Judicata Bars Relitigating Membership Disputes in Corporate Law
The Supreme Court clarifies when res judicata prevents corporations from relitigating membership issues already settled in prior cases.
Redundancy Dismissals: Strict Compliance With Labor Code Imperative
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies strict requirements for valid redundancy termination, including mandatory DOLE notice and fair selection criteria.
Slippage in Construction Contracts: Government Immunity and Contractor Accountability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on government immunity in construction contracts and contractor liability for project delays and slippage.
Balancing Public Safety and Private Property Access Rights on Limited Access Highways
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on property owners' rights to access limited access highways like NLEX, balancing police power and private interests.
OFW Illegal Dismissal: Full Salary for Unexpired Contract, Not Just 3 Months
The Supreme Court affirms that illegally dismissed OFWs are entitled to full salaries for the unexpired portion of their contracts, striking down the three-month cap as unconstitutional.
Pre-Trial Representation: When a Special Power of Attorney Is Required
Learn why the Supreme Court requires a Special Power of Attorney for pre-trial representation, and how lacking one can lead to default.
Partial Payment of Filing Fees in BP 22 Cases: The Supreme Court’s Ruling on Access to Justice
The Supreme Court allows complainants in multiple BP 22 cases to pay filing fees per case, ensuring access to justice.
Redundancy vs Retrenchment: Protecting Employees From Illegal Dismissal
The Supreme Court clarifies the distinction between redundancy and retrenchment, and the rules employers must follow to avoid illegal dismissal.
Relaxing Procedural Rules in the Interest of Justice: Filing Deadlines and Verification Requirements in Philip
The Supreme Court clarifies when courts may relax filing deadlines and verification rules, emphasizing substantial justice over technicalities.
Habitual Tardiness in the Judiciary: When Punctuality Becomes a Ground for Dismissal
Court employee dismissed for habitual tardiness and absenteeism. Learn the rules on punctuality and public trust in the Judiciary.
Estate Inventory Disputes: Probate Courts' Provisional Powers on Inclusion of Properties
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on probate courts' authority to provisionally determine ownership for estate inventory inclusion.
Judicial Misconduct: Falsifying Service Certificates and Neglect of Duty
The Supreme Court holds a retired judge liable for gross misconduct and false certificates of service, and a clerk of court for simple misconduct.
Beyond Deadlines: The COMELEC's Power to Ensure Fair Plebiscites Despite Statutory Timelines
When a plebiscite deadline becomes impossible to meet, can the COMELEC reset the date? The Supreme Court says yes, in a ruling that prioritizes the people's right to vote.
Dismissal for Drug Use Upholding Integrity in the Judiciary
Supreme Court dismisses court employee for shabu use, ruling it grave misconduct that tarnishes the Judiciary's image and integrity.
When Business Downturns Lead to Employee Layoffs: Understanding Retrenchment Under Philippine Law
Learn the legal rules on retrenchment in the Philippines, including valid grounds, procedural requirements, and worker protections.
Speedy Trial vs Consolidation: Protecting the Accused's Rights
The Supreme Court rules that consolidating criminal cases cannot override an accused's constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Sheriffs Must Execute Writs Promptly and File Periodic Returns: DBP v. Famero
The Supreme Court clarifies a sheriff's duty to execute writs with dispatch and file Section 14, Rule 39 periodic returns, imposing a fine for neglect.
Consolidation of Cases Ensuring Judicial Efficiency and Preventing Conflicting Rulings
Explore how consolidating related cases promotes judicial efficiency and prevents conflicting rulings, with insights from Philippine Supreme Court practice.
Court Personnel Neglect of Duty: When Delayed Case Records Trigger Administrative Liability
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on simple neglect of duty by court personnel who delayed transmitting appeal records, with penalties explained.
Motion for Reconsideration Before Certiorari: The Novateknika Rule
Philippine courts require a motion for reconsideration before filing certiorari. Learn the rule, its exceptions, and why it matters.
Retirement Bars Administrative Action: Jurisdictional Limits in Philippine Law
When a judge retires before an administrative complaint is filed, the Court loses jurisdiction to penalize him. This article explains the rule.