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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Jurisdiction and Estoppel by Laches in Philippine Property Disputes
Learn how the Supreme Court applied estoppel by laches when a party attacks jurisdiction in a case not on appeal.
Perfecting an Appeal: Navigating the Jurisdictional Requirements in Philippine Labor Cases
Learn how jurisdictional requirements affect appeals in Philippine labor cases, with insights from recent Supreme Court rulings.
Reconveyance Actions and Estate Administration: Jurisdiction vs. Venue in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that seeking appointment as estate administratrix in a reconveyance action affects venue, not jurisdiction, of the RTC.
Secretary of Labor's Power to Assume Jurisdiction in Labor Disputes: A Guide
Learn when the Labor Secretary can assume jurisdiction over strikes and lockouts, and what this means for workers and employers.
Losing Control: Understanding Loss of Jurisdiction After Appeal in Philippine Courts
When a case is appealed, the trial court loses jurisdiction. This administrative case explains the rule and its limits.
When Is a Private Individual Considered a Public Officer? Malversation and Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction
A private individual designated as BIR custodian of distrained property is not a public officer, so the Sandiganbayan lacks jurisdiction over him for malversation.
Navigating Export Quotas: Understanding Administrative Agency Jurisdiction in the Philippines
A look at how Philippine courts respect administrative agency jurisdiction over export quota disputes, and when judicial intervention is proper.
Voluntary Appearance and Jurisdiction: What Filing Pleadings Means in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court explains how voluntary appearance in court can cure defective summons and establish jurisdiction over a person.
Doing Business in the Philippines: Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a foreign corporation is had been the exclusive dealer of BMW vehicles and products in the Philippines. In 1967, Hahn executed a "Deed of Assignment with Specia
Intra-Corporate Disputes: When Corporate Officers Fall Under SEC Jurisdiction
Explaining Tabang v. NLRC: why a corporate officer's dismissal is an intra-corporate dispute under SEC jurisdiction, not a labor case.
DARAB Jurisdiction Explained: Filing Agrarian Disputes in the Philippines
Learn where to file agrarian disputes in the Philippines—DARAB vs. PARAD jurisdiction clarified under R.A. 6657 and the DARAB rules.
Marijuana Possession and the Retroactive Application of Favorable Criminal Laws in the Philippines
Explaining when procedural laws apply retroactively, using the Subido v. Sandiganbayan ruling on jurisdiction and vested rights.
Wage Disputes: Understanding Regional Director Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Explaining when DOLE Regional Directors can decide wage claims, based on the Supreme Court ruling in M. Ramirez Industries.
Intra-Corporate Disputes: Navigating Jurisdiction Between the NLRC and SEC
When a corporate officer is dismissed, is it a labor case or an intra-corporate dispute? The Supreme Court clarifies jurisdiction rules.
Can a Final Labor Judgment Be Offset by a Separate Debt? Jurisdiction and Due Process
A final labor arbiter award cannot be defeated by an employer's set-off claim for a separate debt, explains the Supreme Court in Pondoc v. NLRC.
Annulment of Judgment: Jurisdiction and Timeliness in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that annulment of judgment requires extrinsic fraud or lack of jurisdiction, and certiorari must be filed within three months.
Jurisdiction Over Maritime Crimes: Where Can You Be Tried?
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on venue for crimes committed on board vessels in transit, explained in plain language.
Navigating Appeals in Philippine Administrative Law: Jurisdiction and Exhaustion of Remedies
The Supreme Court clarifies appellate jurisdiction over PNP disciplinary cases, exhaustion of remedies, and administrative law principles in Cabada v. Alunan.
Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction over Quo Warranto: The PCGG Exception
When can the Sandiganbayan hear a quo warranto case? The Supreme Court explains the exception involving PCGG and sequestered assets.
Ejectment Suits: How Ownership Disputes Affect Jurisdiction in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts handle ejectment cases when ownership is disputed, and why jurisdiction stays with the first-level court.
Judge's Authority in Marriage Solemnization: Jurisdiction and Validity Rules
Learn the jurisdictional limits of judges solemnizing marriages in the Philippines and the mandatory presumptive death proceeding under the Family Code.
Enforcing Labor Rights Understanding Prescription AND Jurisdiction IN Philippine Labor LAW
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on labor claim prescription, jurisdiction, and enforcement of compromise agreements in MWSS v. NLRC.
When Can a Municipal Trial Court Hear Your Case: Unlawful Detainer Jurisdiction Limits
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that failure to serve demand to vacate deprives MTCC of jurisdiction over unlawful detainer cases.
Compulsory Counterclaims When A Court Loses Jurisdiction Over Related Claims
When a court dismisses the main action for lack of jurisdiction, the compulsory counterclaim falls with it. Learn the rule.