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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Finality of Judgment: Court Warns Against Repeated Motions to Evade Execution
Supreme Court warns litigants against filing repeated motions to delay execution of final judgments, citing abuse of judicial processes.
When Final Judgments Can Be Modified: Supervening Events in Labor Cases
The Supreme Court explains when a final and executory reinstatement order may still be modified due to supervening events.
Regular Employment Status and the Limits of Prior Judgments in Labor Cases
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a prior money claim judgment bars a later case for confirmation of regular employment status.
Upholding Ejectment: The Finality of Judgments and Timeliness in Appeals
The Supreme Court affirms ejectment, stressing that a late motion for reconsideration fails to stop a judgment from becoming final and executory.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: The Bihag v. Era Resolution
The Supreme Court enforces final disbarment decisions, citing a lawyer for contempt and ordering execution of the judgment.
Res Judicata in Corporate Disputes: When Prior Judgments Bind Subsequent Claims
The Supreme Court explains when a prior judgment bars a later corporate claim, even against a party not impleaded in the first case.
The Limits of Summary Judgment: Genuine Issues of Fact Must Be Resolved Through Trial
The Supreme Court clarifies that genuine issues of fact cannot be resolved through summary judgment and must proceed to full trial.
Certiorari Dismissed: Grave Abuse of Discretion and Hierarchy of Courts in IP Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies that certiorari cannot correct errors of judgment, and direct resort to the Court violates the hierarchy of courts.
Sheriffs’ Duty to Return Writs and Accountability in Execution of Judgments
A sheriff’s failure to return writs on time is gross negligence; accepting fees without court approval is gross misconduct.
Finality of Judgments: The Limits of Annulment in Philippine Law
Explore how Philippine courts treat annulment of judgments, finality of decisions, and the strict limits on reopening concluded cases.
BP 22 and Humanitarian Considerations: When Courts May Modify Final Judgments
The Supreme Court explains when humanitarian grounds, like serious illness, can justify replacing imprisonment with a fine in BP 22 cases.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delay in Rendering Judgments
A judge who fails to decide a case on time faces administrative sanctions. Learn the rules on judicial delay and accountability.
When SEC Actions Overstep Legal Boundaries: Injunctions and Prejudgment Remedies
A look at when courts can issue injunctions against SEC actions and the limits of prejudgment remedies in Philippine securities regulation.
Corporate Dissolution and Judgment Enforcement: Rights Survive Liquidation
A final judgment can still be enforced after a corporation dissolves — the Supreme Court explains why in this ruling.
Eminent Domain Just Compensation Must Reflect Fair Market Value AT Time OF Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in expropriation is valued at the time of taking, not at judgment.
Full Backwages for Illegally Dismissed Employees: Computation Until Finality of Judgment
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that illegally dismissed employees are entitled to full backwages until the finality of judgment, not just until dismissal.
Relief From Judgment Confined to Trial Courts, Not Extended to Court of Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies that relief from judgment under Rule 38 applies only to trial courts, not the Court of Appeals.
Finality of Judgment: Accused's Waiver of Appeal Bars Reopening of Homicide Case
A conviction becomes final when the accused waives appeal, and the trial court loses jurisdiction to reopen the case—double jeopardy protects the accused.
Online Abuse and Foreign Judgments: What the Supreme Court's XXX v. People Ruling Means for Philippine Courts
The Supreme Court affirmed a conviction for psychological abuse committed through Facebook and raised the penalty under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, clarifying how Philippine courts treat online evi
Immediate Execution OF Support Judgments Upholding THE Rights OF Children
Missed Your Appeal Deadline Philippine Supreme Court ON Finality OF Judgments 2
Learn how the Supreme Court protected a litigant's right to document production in Santos v. PNB, clarifying trial court discretion and NBI examination requirements.
Clerks of Court Cannot Expand Execution Orders: Limits on Ministerial Duty
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a clerk of court exceeds ministerial duty by issuing an amended writ that varies a judgment.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: When a Lawyer Can No Longer Contest a Decision
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's belated motion to reopen his case, reaffirming the doctrine of finality of judgment and punishing defiance of court orders.
Finality of Judgment vs Double Jeopardy: When Can a Court Change Its Decision
A conviction becomes final once probation is applied for. A court cannot later amend the sentence without violating double jeopardy.