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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Compromise Agreements and Third Party Rights: Protecting Property Interests in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise agreements, third party rights, property interests, and execution of judgments explained in plain language.
Navigating Will Probate: Key Lessons From a Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A Philippine Supreme Court decision on property under custodia legis offers crucial lessons for lawyers and litigants in estate and will probate cases.
Lawyer Sanctioned for Misusing Court Custody of Levied Property
Supreme Court suspends lawyer for one year for taking a vehicle under custodia legis without court approval, violating the Code of Professional Responsibility.
Upholding Property Rights: The Binding Effect of Contracts on Subsequent Owners in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling explains when contracts bind third-party buyers and why timely execution of judgments matters in property disputes.
Just Compensation in Expropriation: Valuation Must Be as of Filing of Complaint
Supreme Court clarifies that just compensation in expropriation cases must be based on property value as of filing of the complaint, not later market data.
Relaxing Procedural Rules in Appeals to Protect Property Rights From Counsel Negligence
When a lawyer's negligence causes a late appeal brief, the Supreme Court may relax procedural rules to protect a party's property rights and decide cases on the merits.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Disciplining Lawyers for Misrepresentation and Unauthorized Practice
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for deceiving courts over inherited property and reprimanded another for unauthorized practice, reaffirming ethical duties.
Prior Physical Possession Decides Forcible Entry Cases: Palajos v. Abad
Learn how the Supreme Court ruled on prior physical possession in forcible entry cases and what property owners must prove.
Corporate Dissolution and Property Rights: Clarifying Successor Liability in Land Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when dissolved corporations and their officers can be held liable for delivering property titles in subdivision disputes.
Brokers' Commissions Survive Property Buy-Backs: Lessons from Malate Construction v. ERABCO
Philippine Supreme Court rules brokers earn commissions once sale conditions are met, even if buyers later default and properties are bought back.
Upholding Notarized Deeds: The Strength of Public Documents in Philippine Property Disputes
Notarized deeds enjoy the presumption of regularity in Philippine property disputes. Learn how the Supreme Court applied this rule in a quieting of title case.
Reckless Imprudence Penalties for Damage to Property and Physical Injuries
Explaining how Philippine courts penalize reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and physical injuries, based on a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
Attorney Suspended for Selling Client-Owned Property and Misrepresenting Ownership
Lawyer suspended three years for selling land he didn't own to a foreign buyer, violating fiduciary duties and legal ethics rules.
Lawyer Disbarred for Misconduct in Property Transactions: Lessons from BASECO Case
Supreme Court disbars lawyer for failing to account for client funds and neglecting property titling work, highlighting ethical duties in Philippine property law practice.
Double Titling in the Philippines: How to Protect Your Property Rights
Learn how Philippine courts handle double titling disputes and what property owners can do to protect their rights and avoid legal conflicts.
Eminent Domain and Just Compensation: Fair Value for Delayed Government Takings
When the government delays payment in expropriation, landowners are entitled to more than the property's old value—here's why.
Reconveyance of Land: Protecting Property Rights From Fraudulent Titles in the Philippines
Learn how Philippine courts protect landowners from government taking without just compensation, and the rules on reconveyance of fraudulently titled property.
Overcoming Inheritance Disputes: How Courts Decide Property Sales Among Heirs
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when a sale of inherited property among heirs may be voided and the land partitioned equally.
Forum Shopping Dismissal of Property Case Due to Pending Nullity Proceedings
Filing a separate property case while a nullity of marriage case is pending constitutes forum shopping, explains the Supreme Court in Tanyag v. Tanyag.
Forum Shopping in Nullity Cases: One Action for Property Settlement
Filing a separate property case while a nullity case is pending constitutes forum shopping. The Supreme Court explains why.
Document Accuracy and Integrity in Property Transactions: Lessons from Ramiscal v. People
The Supreme Court reminds public officers that conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, not presumptions, in property transactions involving conflicting deeds.
Exemption From Agrarian Reform: Land Reclassification and Its Impact on Property Rights
The Supreme Court clarifies when land reclassified as non-agricultural before 1988 is exempt from CARP coverage, protecting property rights.
Navigating Property Title Disputes Lessons From A Landmark Philippine Supreme Court Case
A disbarment case reveals key lessons on property titling, attorney's fees, and client-lawyer duties under Philippine law.
Reconveyance of Property Under Implied Trust and the 10-Year Prescription Period
The Supreme Court clarifies when the prescriptive period runs for reconveyance based on implied trust and the effect of default orders.