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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Union Fund Mismanagement: Substantiation Required for Special Assessments
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on union officers' liability for unsubstantiated special assessments and litigation expenses.
Unregistered Land Sale Loses To Registered Levy Protecting Third Party Rights
Learn how buying unregistered land during litigation can bind buyers to court rulings, and why registered levies protect third-party rights.
The Binding Nature of Counsel's Negligence: Implications for Litigants
Explore how counsel's negligence binds clients in Philippine litigation, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gulmatico v. People.
Prior Court Rulings Bind Later Appeals: Default Judgment Limits Explained
A bank's repeated procedural challenges failed when earlier rulings became the law of the case. Learn how default judgments and prior decisions shape litigation.
RES Judicata Preventing Repeated Litigation IN Foreclosure Cases
Res Judicata and Land Ownership: Why a Final Judgment Bars Relitigation
A final judgment on land ownership bars relitigation through res judicata. Learn how the doctrine protects Torrens titles from collateral attacks.
The Solicitor General’s Mandatory Role in Protecting Government Interests in Litigation
A state college’s default judgment was voided because a private lawyer, not the Solicitor General, represented it. Learn the rule.
Contempt of Court: Limits on Summary Punishment and Judicial Notice in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may punish contempt summarily and when they may take judicial notice of other cases.
Res Judicata and Property Disputes: Why a Final Judgment Bars a Second Suit
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains how res judicata prevents relitigation of property ownership after a final judgment.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Why Courts Must Adhere to Procedural Rules in Philippine Litigation
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly enforces the 15-day appeal period under Rule 41, and what happens when a motion for extension is filed.
Double Jeopardy in Labor Disputes: Res Judicata and Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines
Learn how res judicata bars relitigation of illegal dismissal claims, using the Supreme Court's ruling in Williams v. Days Hotel.
Contempt OF Court Balancing Judicial Independence AND Responsible Litigation
Res Judicata and Land Disputes: When a Prior Judgment Bars Relitigation
Learn how the doctrine of res judicata prevents relitigation of land disputes, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Villarino v. Avila.
Due Process and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Rights in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process rights in Philippine litigation, including the duty to serve pleadings on counsel of record.
Res Judicata Bars Re-Litigating Security of Tenure in Agrarian Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how final judgments bar re-litigation of security of tenure claims in agrarian disputes.
Res Judicata: How a Final Judgment Prevents Relitigation of the Same Issue
Learn how res judicata bars relitigation of settled issues, using a Philippine Supreme Court case on a disputed deed of donation.
Huibonhoa v. Concepcion: Forum Shopping and Moot Petitions in Philippine Litigation
The Supreme Court denied a petition as moot and academic but clarified the test for forum shopping in the 2006 case of Huibonhoa v. Concepcion.
Sheriff's Misappropriation of Funds and Delay in Execution Leads to Suspension
A sheriff's failure to execute writs promptly and his questionable use of litigation funds resulted in a six-month suspension for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Procedural Compliance in Philippine Litigation: The PPSTA Case on Court Rules
A Supreme Court ruling shows why procedural rules matter—and when courts may relax them for substantial justice.
Dismissed Appeal: Why Following Court Rules Matters in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling shows why procedural rules matter: a Rule 43 petition wrongly filed against a DOJ resolution was dismissed.
Authority to Sign Certification Against Forum Shopping in Corporate Litigation
Who may sign the certification against forum shopping in corporate cases? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on authority and false certifications.
Finality OF Judgments RES Judicata Prevents Relitigation IN Philippine LAW
Stare Decisis in Philippine Courts: How Prior Rulings Bind Future Cases
The Supreme Court applies stare decisis to bar relitigation of the Pepsi The decision demonstrates how prior rulings on the same controversy can bar subsequent claims and promote consistency in the ad
Res Judicata and Void Contracts: When a Final Judgment Prevents Relitigation of Land Ownership
A void contract cannot support an ejectment suit. Learn how final judgments on contract validity bar relitigation of ownership.