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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Perfecting a Contract to Sell: Why Payment Terms Matter in Philippine Real Estate Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains why agreeing on price alone does not perfect a contract to sell real property—payment terms are essential.
Meeting of Minds in Property Sales: Why Price Agreement Is Key in Philippine Contracts
Philippine contract law requires a meeting of minds on price for property sales. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on consent and judicial ethics.
Area vs Boundaries in Philippine Property Sales: What Buyers Must Know
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when stated land area prevails over boundaries in property sales, and when price adjustments apply.
The Price of Delay: Judicial Efficiency and the Right to Speedy Justice in the Philippines
The Magna Financial Services v. Colarina case clarifies the limits of Article 1484 remedies and the importance of timely judicial action.
The Price of Delay: Judicial Accountability for Delayed Case Resolutions
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge fined for delayed decisions underscores the 90-day rule and judicial accountability in the Philippines.
Price Escalation Clauses in Government Contracts: When Renegotiation Timing Matters
Supreme Court ruling on Creser Precision Systems clarifies how often price escalation can take effect under Philippine government contracts.
Habitual Absenteeism and Neglect of Duty: When Is Termination Justified in the Philippines
The Supreme Court explains when habitual absenteeism and neglect of duty justify dismissal, and the price employers pay for skipping due process.
Correcting Court Notices: The Price of Negligence in Judicial Administration
Learn how failure to file tax returns extends the prescriptive period and why court notice errors carry serious consequences.
Fair Market Value vs. Actual Use: Defining Real Property Tax Assessments in the Philippines
The Supreme Court strikes down a Quezon City ordinance that based real property tax on deed prices, reaffirming actual use and fair market value as the legal standards.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Disregarding Court Directives
When a judge ignores orders from the Office of the Court Administrator, the Supreme Court steps in. This case shows why compliance matters.
When Delay Costs More Than Time: The High Price of Unresolved Motions for Reconsideration
A judge's one-year delay in resolving a motion for reconsideration leads to a P10,000 fine, highlighting judicial accountability and prompt case disposition.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delayed Justice in Philippine Courts
A retired judge fined for failing to decide cases within the 90-day constitutional period shows why judicial delay carries real consequences.
Judicial Accountability: The Price of Delay in Rendering Justice
A look at how the Supreme Court holds judges and court personnel accountable for delays in rendering justice, and what this means for litigants.
Deed of Sale Valid Despite Misstated Price and Co-Ownership Limits
A deed of sale with a lower stated price remains binding; selling a portion of co-owned land transfers only the seller's ideal share.
When Payment Defaults Threaten Property Rights: Understanding Rescission in Real Estate Sales
A buyer's failure to pay the full purchase price can lead to contract rescission, even after years of partial payments. Learn the rules.
Upholding Judicial Ethics: Gross Immorality and the Price of Private Misconduct
The Supreme Court dismissed a judge for gross immorality over an extramarital affair, clarifying ethical standards for judges and lawyers.
Mutuality of Contracts: No Unilateral Price Escalation Without Clear Basis
Contractors cannot unilaterally raise prices without proof and written authority. The Supreme Court explains mutuality of contracts.
When a Lawyer Turns Against a Client: The Price of Delayed Justice
A lawyer who filed a baseless reformation suit against former clients to profit from their land's rising value was suspended for gross misconduct.
Clarifying Contract Obligations: Rentals vs Purchase Price in Property Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when rental payments form part of the purchase price in property disputes, protecting buyers from altered contract terms.
Judicial Efficiency: The Price of Delay in Delivering Justice
A judge's seven-month delay in deciding a case leads to a fine for gross inefficiency, underscoring that justice delayed is justice denied.
Judicial Accountability: The Duty to Decide Cases Promptly and the Price of Gross Inefficiency
The Supreme Court fined a retired judge P50,000 for gross inefficiency after he failed to decide 49 cases within the reglementary period.
DBP Foreclosure Redemption: Special Charter Rules Override General Redemption Law
When redeeming property foreclosed by DBP, mortgagors must pay the full outstanding debt, not just the auction purchase price.
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.
The Price of Delay: Judge Fined for Violating Summary Procedure Rules
A judge's two-year delay in deciding an unlawful detainer case violated the 30-day rule under the Revised Rules on Summary Procedure, resulting in a fine.