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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Upholding Legal Ethics: Disciplining Lawyers for Obstructing Justice and Misleading Courts
A lawyer's duty to the court outweighs loyalty to a client. Learn how obstruction and misleading courts lead to suspension.
Docket Fees and Ethics: When Omitting Damages in a Complaint Is Not Unethical
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's omission of damages in a complaint prayer crosses the line into unethical conduct.
Disbarment for Bigamy Upholding Marital Sanctity and Legal Ethics in the Philippines
Explore how Philippine courts treat bigamy as a grave offense affecting a lawyer's moral fitness and professional standing.
Upholding Legal Ethics Dishonoring A Check Leads TO Suspension FOR Lawyer
Attorney Sanctioned for Baseless Complaint Against Justice: Lessons on Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court held a lawyer in indirect contempt for filing a baseless administrative complaint against a Court of Appeals justice, reaffirming that such complaints cannot substitute for judicial
Judicial Ethics: Avoiding Impropriety and Its Appearance in Judges' Conduct
A judge's off-bench conduct matters. The Supreme Court fined a judge for drinking with a litigant, showing why appearance of impropriety is a serious offense.
Sheriffs' Duties and Ethical Conduct: Receiving Funds and Serving Summons
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies sheriff duties, the proper procedure for travel expense deposits, and the ethics of receiving funds.
Upholding Attorneys Right TO Fees Client Compromises AND Legal Ethics
Lawyer Disbarred for Deceitful Land Dealings and Misrepresenting Ownership
A lawyer was disbarred for selling land he did not own, misrepresenting himself as owner, and keeping the proceeds—a clear violation of professional ethics.
Judicial Ethics: Court Employee Cannot Buy Litigated Property
Court employees must avoid acquiring property in litigation, even outside their court's jurisdiction, to uphold judicial integrity.
Solicitation and Impropriety: Disbarment for Lawyers Violating Professional Ethics
A labor arbiter who solicited money from a litigant and distorted a final ruling was disbarred for gross misconduct and immorality.
Lawyers Must Personally Sign Pleadings: Ethics Rules on Delegating Legal Work
A lawyer who lets a secretary sign pleadings violates legal ethics. The Supreme Court explains why delegation to non-lawyers is prohibited.
Judicial Ethics Maintaining Impartiality AND Avoiding Impropriety IN A Judges Private Life
Unauthorized Practice of Law and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from Ciocon-Reer v. Lubao
The Supreme Court clarifies when judges face administrative liability and penalizes a non-lawyer for unauthorized practice of law.
Misleading the Court and Defying Suspension Orders: A Lesson in Legal Ethics
A lawyer's suspension from practice is not a mere suggestion. Learn how the Supreme Court disciplined a lawyer for misleading the court and appearing while suspended.
Court Employees and Financial Obligations: Ethics Beyond the Courtroom
A Supreme Court ruling reminds court employees that personal debts and conduct reflect on the judiciary's integrity and honor.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Consensual Relationships AND Judicial Ethics When Does Private Conduct Merit Public Scrutiny
Upholding Legal Ethics Attorneys Must Respect THE LAW AND Legal Processes
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on co-ownership, Torrens titles, and partition actions in Lacbayan v. Samoy.
Judicial Ethics: Why Judges Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge soliciting donations from lawyers and prosecutors, and the duty to avoid impropriety.
Attorney Ethics: When Filing Pleadings for Deceased Clients Is Not Dishonesty
The Supreme Court clarifies when a lawyer's act of filing pleadings for deceased clients amounts to dishonesty, and when it does not.
Judicial Ethics and Public Trust: When Government Cannot Hide Behind State Immunity
Supreme Court ruling on state immunity, quantum meruit, and why government contractors deserve payment for completed public works.
Plagiarism and Judicial Ethics: Del Castillo Case Sets Standard for Intent
Supreme Court clarifies that plagiarism requires intent to deceive, distinguishing inadvertent attribution errors from judicial misconduct.
Judicial Ethics: Authorized and Unauthorized Absences for Philippine Judges
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on when judges incur unauthorized absences and when filing leave is required under CSC rules.