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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When Business Disputes Turn Deadly Examining Criminal Liability IN Contractual Conflicts
A sheriff's excessive levy and irregular auction in a rice dispute shows how execution of judgments can cross into misconduct.
Finality of Judgments, Jurisdiction, and Forum Shopping in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when judgments become final, how appeals affect jurisdiction, and what constitutes forum shopping.
Defective Summons Protecting Landowners Rights IN Property Disputes
Learn how defective summons by publication voided a default judgment nullifying land titles, protecting registered owners' property rights.
Safeguarding Your Appeal: Due Process and Lawyer Negligence in Philippine Courts
When a lawyer's mistakes cost a client her case, can the judgment be annulled? The Supreme Court explains the limits of extrinsic fraud and counsel negligence.
When a Lawyer's Negligence Can Void a Judgment: Extrinsic Fraud in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when lawyer negligence amounts to extrinsic fraud that can annul a judgment, and when it does not.
Invalid Promulgation of Judgment: When Philippine Courts Fail to Follow Procedure
Philippine Supreme Court explains what makes a valid promulgation in absentia and when the accused's right to appeal accrues.
Reviving Expired Judgments in the Philippines: The Terry Case and Contempt Limits
Learn when Philippine judgments expire, how to revive them, and why contempt cannot enforce stale court orders under the Terry ruling.
Certiorari Deadlines and the 60-Day Rule: Lessons from Pahimutang v. Court of Appeals
Understand the 60-day certiorari filing rule, proper remedies under Rule 45 vs. Rule 65, and finality of judgments in Philippine courts.
Finality of Judgments: When Philippine Courts Lose Jurisdiction Over a Case
Philippine courts lose jurisdiction once a decision becomes final. Learn the rules on finality, the 15-day appeal period, and why stale judgments cannot be revived.
Summary Judgment vs Trial: When Philippine Courts Can Decide Without Full Trial
Philippine courts can render summary judgment without full trial when defenses are sham or fictitious. Narra v. CA explains the rule.
Summary Judgment vs. Judgment on the Pleadings: When Defenses Are Not Genuine Issues
Explaining the difference between summary judgment and judgment on the pleadings, and when defenses raised in an answer are not genuine issues.
Lost in Time: Why Expired Labor Court Decisions Cannot Be Revived
The Supreme Court explains why a labor arbiter loses jurisdiction once a decision becomes final and executory, and why expired judgments cannot be revived.
Final Judgments in Labor Cases: Why Courts Cannot Modify Executory Rulings
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that final and executory labor judgments cannot be modified, even for separation pay, after five years.
Sheriffs Duty in Judgment Execution: Avoiding Excessive Levy and Misconduct
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on sheriffs' duty to avoid excessive levy in judgment execution and the consequences of misconduct.
Lis Pendens and Summary Procedure: Key Lessons from Sta. Lucia Realty v. Court of Appeals
Learn how the Sta. Lucia Realty case clarifies the prohibition on petitions for relief from judgment in forcible entry cases under the Revised Rule on Summary Procedure.
Second Chances in Philippine Justice: When Final Judgments Can Be Overturned for a New Trial
The Supreme Court explains when final criminal judgments may be vacated and new trials granted, using a bigamy case as an example.
Enforcing Foreign Judgments in the Philippines: What Businesses Need to Know
Learn how Philippine courts treat foreign judgments, the grounds to challenge them, and key lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Finality of Judgment: When an Annulled Decision Can Be Reinstated
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a set-aside judgment may be reinstated and why final and executory rulings cannot be resurrected.
Res Judicata in Philippine Courts: Why Final Judgments Matter
Learn how final judgments bind parties in Philippine courts, and why due process in contempt proceedings is non-negotiable.
Discretionary Execution Pending Appeal: When Philippine Courts Can Enforce Judgments Immediately
Learn when Philippine courts may order execution pending appeal, the "good reasons" required, and how the Supreme Court applies Rule 39.
Valid Service of Summons in Default Judgments: Umandap v. Sabio
When is substituted service of summons valid? The Supreme Court explains in Umandap v. Sabio, G.R. No. 140244.
Independent Judgment Prevails: Why Acquittal of Co-Accused Doesn't Guarantee Your Freedom
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: a judge's acquittal of one co-accused does not bind another judge in separate trials. Learn the rule.
Execution of Judgment in Ejectment Cases: Why the Court of Origin Matters
In ejectment cases, execution of an affirmed judgment generally belongs to the trial court of origin, not the appellate court. A Supreme Court ruling clarifies why.
Immediate Execution of RTC Ejectment Judgments: What the Supreme Court Has Held
When the RTC affirms an ejectment ruling, the order to vacate is immediately enforceable—even if the losing party appeals. Here's why.