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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Upholding Contractual Obligations and Government Accountability in Public-Private Partnerships
Supreme Court ruling on SM Land v. BCDA clarifies government accountability in PPPs and the binding effect of contractual commitments.
Untimely Appeal: The Perils of Procedural Lapses in Labor Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling on how missing the 60-day appeal period in labor cases can cost a party the case entirely.
Maysilo Estate Dispute Upholding Torrens System Integrity IN Land Title Conflicts
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Torrens title indefeasibility in unlawful detainer cases, protecting registered owners from collateral attacks.
Unlawful Arrests and Admissibility of Evidence: Protecting Constitutional Rights in Drug Cases
When a warrantless arrest is invalid, evidence seized from the accused becomes inadmissible. Learn the rules from this Supreme Court ruling.
Torrens Title vs Mortgage Resolving Property Possession Disputes in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on which Torrens title prevails when property claims overlap, tracing validity to the mother title.
When the COMELEC Cannot Decide: The Legal Effect of a Split Vote
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on what happens when the COMELEC en banc fails to muster a majority vote in election cases.
Personnel Actions and the Courts: When CSC Jurisdiction Yields to Judicial Review
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when courts may hear personnel actions involving public officers despite CSC jurisdiction.
Beyond the Rules: Distinguishing Insubordination From Simple Violation of Office Policies
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when defiance of an illegal office order is not insubordination, and what makes a detail valid.
Malicious Prosecution: Holding Employers Accountable for Unjust Accusations
When employers file baseless criminal charges against workers, they may face damages for malicious prosecution. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling.
Retirement Fund Obligations: When a Company Is Liable for Employee Separation Pay
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a principal company becomes liable for separation pay of a contractor's employees, explained in plain language.
Navigating Disability Benefits: The Significance of Timely Medical Assessments for Seafarers
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that seafarers may claim disability benefits for work-related illnesses even without a prompt company physician assessment.
Presumption of Compensability Protecting Seafarers With Cardiovascular Disease
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarers' disability benefits for cardiovascular disease, presumption of compensability, and POEA-SEC.
Malicious Prosecution: When Filing a Criminal Complaint Backfires
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on malicious prosecution, damages, and employer liability for unfounded criminal charges against employees.
Third Party Beneficiaries and Compromise Agreements: When Excluded Parties Cannot Claim Benefits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when compromise agreements benefit only named parties, not excluded third parties under stipulation pour autrui.
How Marital Status Determines Property Ownership in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling explains how marital status affects property ownership, co-ownership rules, and the validity of selling property without spousal consent.
Upholding Integrity: Disciplinary Actions for Dishonesty and Neglect in the Judiciary
A Supreme Court ruling on a court clerk's dismissal for dishonesty, insubordination, and neglect of duty, and the importance of integrity in the judiciary.
Obstructing Justice When Removing Evidence Leads to Criminal Liability
Learn when removing evidence becomes obstruction of justice in the Philippines, based on a Supreme Court ruling on tampering and misconduct.
When a Criminal Judgment Lapses: Prescription of Penalty vs. Civil Liability
A 20-year delay in executing a criminal judgment: the penalty prescribes differently from civil liability. Learn the rules from a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.
When a Notary Lacks Authority: How Defective Notarization Can Void Property Transfers
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on defective notarization, judicial partition, and why notarized documents require a validly commissioned notary public.
Joint Account Withdrawal Rights: Limits of Authority Among Co-Depositors
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on joint account, meaning either depositor could transact without the other's signature.
Citizenship by Naturalization: Balancing National Sovereignty and Refugee Protection
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on naturalization of a refugee, clarifying the "lucrative income" requirement and reciprocity under the Naturalization Law.
Judicial Overreach: When Contempt Powers Become Grave Abuse of Authority
A Supreme Court ruling on when a judge's contempt order crosses the line into grave abuse of authority, and the limits of judicial discretion.
Finality Prevails: Enforcing Court Decisions Despite Technicalities in Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgments in land disputes, explaining why technicalities cannot defeat a final and executory decision.
Losing Appeal Rights: Justifiable Cause and Timely Surrender After Conviction
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a convicted accused loses appeal rights by missing promulgation without justifiable cause.