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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Contractual Obligations and Attorneys Fees: Liability in Lease Agreements
Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies when attorneys fees are recoverable in lease disputes and how courts determine contractual liability.
Expiration OF Lease Agreements Upholding Ejectment Rights Despite Extended Occupancy
Double Sale of Property: Understanding Legal Ownership and Good Faith in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies double sale rules under Article 1544, emphasizing possession in good faith determines ownership when no registration occurs.
The Fresh Period Rule for Appeals in Philippine Criminal Cases
Learn how the Supreme Court applied the fresh period rule to criminal appeals, giving accused persons a full 15 days from denial of post-judgment motions.
Forfeiture of Conversion Fees: Understanding Government Contracts and Bidding Rules in the Philippines
When can the government forfeit a bidder's payment? The Supreme Court explains bidding rules, forfeiture clauses, and government contract obligations.
Evidence Rules in Philippine Administrative Cases: The Atienza Case Explained
Administrative bodies in the Philippines follow relaxed evidence rules. Learn what Atienza v. Board of Medicine means for professionals facing administrative scrutiny.
Plagiarism in Judicial Decisions: What the Del Castillo Resolution Means
The Supreme Court clarifies that plagiarism in judicial decisions requires malicious intent, distinguishing judicial writing from academic standards.
Eyewitness Reliability Scrutinizing Identification in Criminal Convictions
The Supreme Court affirms murder convictions based on a lone eyewitness, clarifying standards for witness credibility and identification in criminal cases.
Breach of Contract: When Is a Hotel Liable for Wedding Reception Mishaps
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when hotels face liability for wedding reception mishaps under Philippine contract law.
Entrapment and the Chain of Custody: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
A look at how the Supreme Court balances police entrapment operations with the chain of custody rule in drug cases under RA 9165.
Annulment of Judgment: When Can You Reopen a Closed Case in the Philippines?
Learn when Philippine courts allow annulment of judgment under Rule 47, and why delay in seeking available remedies bars the remedy.
Finality of Judgment in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Solidary Liability and Employer-Employee Relationship
Explore the Supreme Court ruling on finality of judgment, solidary liability, and employer-employee relationships in illegal dismissal cases.
Conviction for a Different Crime: When Courts Can Convict You of an Uncharged Offense
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a conviction for an offense not charged in the Information is valid under the Rules of Court.
Incestuous Rape Ascendants Moral Authority Equates TO Force
Intervention Denied: Protecting Court Efficiency in Property Disputes
Supreme Court clarifies when intervention in property cases is improper, emphasizing court efficiency and the need for direct legal interests.
When Courts Overturn Convictions: Lessons on Evidence and Reasonable Doubt
The Supreme Court acquits a rape convict, explaining when appellate courts may disregard trial court credibility findings and why prosecution evidence must stand on its own.
Legitimacy vs Illegitimacy: Change of Civil Status Requires Rule 108 Proceedings
Changing a child's status from legitimate to illegitimate is a substantial alteration requiring strict Rule 108 compliance, not a simple name change.
Self-Defense in the Philippines: Understanding the Limits of Justifiable Force
Philippine law recognizes self-defense, but the burden of proof lies on the accused. Learn the legal limits of justifiable force.
Lease Rescission Rights and Structural Defects: Key Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a lessee may rescind a lease for structural defects and when damages may be awarded.
Currency Exchange Rates in Philippine Contracts: Avoiding Disputes and Ensuring Fair Payment
How Philippine courts determine the applicable exchange rate when contracts lack clear currency terms, and lessons from a Supreme Court ruling.
Dismissed Appeal: The Perils of Non-Compliance with Rules of Court
A dismissed appeal shows why strict compliance with Rule 44 on appellant's briefs is mandatory, not optional.
Clarifying Separation Benefits MWSS Employees Entitlement Under ERIP II
Supreme Court clarifies separation pay entitlements of MWSS employees who retired under ERIP II, ruling on the balance due to long-serving employees.
Attorney's Fees for Administrators Who Also Serve as Counsel in Estate Disputes
A lawyer-administrator may recover attorney's fees for representing the sole heir in a will contest, separate from his compensation as administrator of the estate.
Client Responsibility Prevails: The Binding Effect of Counsel's Negligence in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a client is bound by counsel's negligence, and the duty to monitor one's case.