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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Execution Pending Appeal: The Imperative of Good Reasons in Philippine Civil Procedure
Philippine courts grant execution pending appeal only for compelling reasons. Learn the rule, the exceptions, and practical takeaways.
Forum Shopping Dismissal Based on False Certification and Identity of Issues
Learn how defective verification and certification of non-forum shopping led to dismissal of an appeal in Philippine courts.
Ejectment Suits: Proving Prior Possession in Forcible Entry Cases
Learn how Philippine courts decide forcible entry cases, focusing on the key requirement of prior physical possession and jurisdictional rules.
Civil Liability Despite Acquittal Proving Fault by Preponderance of Evidence in Philippine Courts
Explains how Philippine courts can impose civil liability even after acquittal, using preponderance of evidence standard.
Extraterritorial Service of Summons: Due Process for Non-Resident Defendants
Philippine courts must strictly comply with rules on extraterritorial service of summons before declaring non-resident defendants in default.
Reopening Closed Cases: The Strict Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence in Philippine Law
Philippine courts rarely reopen final convictions. This article explains the strict rules for newly discovered evidence under Rule 121.
Judicial Discretion in Issuing Arrest Warrants: Balancing Rights and Efficiency in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that judges have sound discretion in issuing arrest warrants, not a ministerial duty, in Sesbreño v. Judge Aglugub.
Judicial Accountability Good Faith VS Gross Error IN Philippine Courts
Filial Privilege When CAN A Child Testify Against A Parent IN Philippine Courts
Philippine law on when a child may testify against a parent in court, explained in plain language for lay readers.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delayed Justice in Philippine Courts
A retired judge fined for failing to decide cases within the 90-day constitutional period shows why judicial delay carries real consequences.
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.
Judicial Overreach: Defining the Boundaries of Supervisory Authority in Philippine Courts
A court clerk's unauthorized receipt of money leads to suspension, clarifying the limits of authority and accountability in the judiciary.
Upholding the Ombudsman's Discretion: When Courts Defer to Probable Cause Findings in the Philippines
Philippine courts generally defer to the Ombudsman's finding of probable cause, absent grave abuse of discretion. Learn what this means for respondents in administrative cases.
Unmasking Equitable Mortgages in the Philippines: A Guide for Property Buyers and Sellers
When is a deed of sale actually a loan? Learn how Philippine courts unmask equitable mortgages and protect property buyers and sellers.
Judicial Accountability: The Imperative of Timely Decisions in Philippine Courts
Philippine courts must decide cases promptly. This article explains the constitutional duty, its legal basis, and consequences of delay.
Compromise Agreements in Philippine Courts: When Settlements End Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court explains when compromise agreements are valid and binding, ending protracted litigation between parties.
Prior Possession Prevails Resolving Forcible Entry Disputes in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts resolve forcible entry cases by protecting prior physical possession, with insights from a Supreme Court ruling.
Implied Admission: The Decisive Impact of Uncontested Requests in Philippine Courts
How a sheriff's failure to file a comment led to a finding of dishonesty and dismissal from service.
Res Judicata: How Philippine Courts Stop Duplicate Cases and Protect Judicial Efficiency
The Supreme Court dismissed a second administrative complaint over the same facts, applying res judicata to bar repetitive litigation and protect court resources.
Losing an Appeal: The Critical Importance of Meeting Deadlines in Philippine Courts
Learn how missing court deadlines can cost you your appeal, and what the QBE Insurance case teaches about procedural rules.
Dismissal of Complaint: Balancing Promptness and the Pursuit of Justice in Philippine Courts
When can a court dismiss a complaint for lack of authority and improper certification? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on real parties-in-interest and appeal remedies.
Judicial Overreach: The Limits of Injunction Power in Philippine Courts
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge's void writ of injunction clarifies the territorial and procedural limits of injunctive relief in the Philippines.
Default Judgments and Proper Notice: Lessons from DBP v. Perez
A 2004 Supreme Court ruling clarifies when default judgments are valid and why notice requirements protect due process in Philippine courts.
Missed Deadlines Dismissed Appeals The High Cost Of Late Docket Fees In Philippine Courts
Learn how paying appellate docket fees late can cost you your appeal, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.