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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Establishing Attorney Client Relationship Actions Imply Consent Beyond Written Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that lawyer-client relationships can be implied from actions, not just written contracts, in administrative case.
When a Collaborating Lawyer Becomes Your Counsel of Record
Explore when a collaborating lawyer becomes your counsel and the ethical duties that follow, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
Res Judicata When Prior Judgments Prevent Relitigation of Land Ownership Disputes
Learn how res judicata bars relitigation of land ownership disputes, using a 2015 Philippine Supreme Court ruling as a guide.
Insubordination on the High Seas: Protecting Seafarers' Rights Against Unjust Dismissal
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on seafarer dismissal clarifies the burden of proof in insubordination cases and procedural due process under the POEA-SEC.
Seafarers Disability Benefits: Employer Must Pay Full Benefits Despite Initial Assessment
Philippine Supreme Court rules seafarers entitled to full disability benefits when treatment exceeds 240 days, even with a lower disability rating.
Reinstatement Rights Absence DUE TO Unproven Charges Does NOT Equal Abandonment
Philippine Supreme Court ruling: an employee's absence due to unproven criminal charges is not abandonment. Learn the two elements of abandonment.
Expiration of Redemption Rights: Upholding Property Rights After Failure to Redeem
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on redemption period expiration, property rights, and consequences of failing to redeem within statutory period.
Self-Defense vs. Criminal Intent: Proving Guilt Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Homicide Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when self-defense fails and how treachery qualifies killing as murder, not homicide.
Foreclosure Sales Strict Compliance With Publication Requirements
Philippine Supreme Court rules that failure to strictly comply with publication requirements in extrajudicial foreclosure sales invalidates the sale and makes the notary public liable for damages.
Just Compensation in Agrarian Reform: Valuing Land at the Time of Taking
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that agrarian reform just compensation must be valued at the time of taking, not at later dates.
Strict Rules on Foreclosure Notice Publication: What Philippine Mortgagors Should Know
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on strict compliance with foreclosure notice publication requirements and consequences of defective notices.
Finality of Settlements: How Quitclaims Impact Employment Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when quitclaims are valid and binding in labor disputes, protecting employees from waivers made under duress.
Broken Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Drug Evidence Integrity in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court acquits drug suspect due to broken chain of custody, stressing strict evidence integrity rules under RA 9165.
Distinguishing Agricultural Leasehold From Civil Law Lease: Security of Tenure in Philippine Agrarian Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the difference between agricultural leasehold and civil law lease, and the security of tenure rights of tenants.
Right of Way: Balancing Dominant Estate Needs and Servient Estate Rights in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how to determine the extent and indemnity for a legal easement of right of way under the Civil Code.
Mandamus and Property Rights: Court Orders for Possession Have Limits
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a writ of possession cannot be issued in a mandamus case, and the proper remedy for winning bidders.
Chain of Custody in Drug Cases: Integrity of Evidence Prevails
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on chain of custody in drug possession cases, explaining why substantial compliance with Section 21 suffices.
Refund of Excess Withholding Taxes: Proving Entitlement Under Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on refund of excess creditable withholding taxes, the two-year prescriptive period, and evidence required.
Breach of Contract and Trust: Obligations in Film Licensing Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a licensee may reject films and whether licensors owe fees to third-party owners in licensing deals.
Pregnancy and Employment: Protecting Women's Rights in the Philippine Workplace
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling on Saudia's pregnancy termination policy affirms that women cannot be dismissed for becoming pregnant.
Defamation and Privileged Communication: Protecting Reputation in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies libel, privileged communication, and damages in Almendras v. Almendras, balancing free speech with reputation protection.
Proving Forgery in Land Registration: Burden Falls on the Party Alleging It
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on who bears the burden of proving forgery in land registration cases and why expert testimony alone is not conclusive.
Ejectment Appeals: No Trial De Novo and the Boundary Dispute Rule
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on ejectment appeals, boundary disputes, and why RTCs cannot conduct trial de novo.
Ejectment vs Ownership: Defining Jurisdiction in Philippine Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a property dispute is ejectment or an ownership action, and limits RTC appellate powers.