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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Death of Accused Pending Appeal Extinguishes Criminal Liability and Civil Liability Ex Delicto
The Supreme Court clarifies that an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal liability and civil liability arising from the offense.
Finality vs Fairness: How Illegal Dismissal Awards Are Computed Up to Final Judgment
The Supreme Court clarifies that backwages and separation pay in illegal dismissal cases are computed up to finality of judgment, not just the labor arbiter's decision date.
Final Judgments and Supervening Events: When Execution Cannot Be Stopped
A sale of property after judgment finality does not automatically stop execution. The Supreme Court explains the limits of supervening events.
Final Judgment vs Supervening Events: When Execution Can Be Stopped
The Supreme Court explains when a supervening event can stop execution of a final judgment, using a partition case as example.
Res Judicata and Buyer Rights: PNB v. Lim on Mortgages Under PD 957
The Supreme Court clarifies how final judgments bind parties and how condominium buyers can still redeem units despite a valid mortgage.
Extinguishment OF Criminal Liability Death Before Final Judgment AND THE Privileged Mitigating Circumstance OF Minority
Admonishing Delay in Executing Final Judgments: A Lesson for Judges
Sandiganbayan justices admonished for delaying execution of a final conviction, highlighting the ministerial duty to implement judgments promptly.
Finality vs Justice: Reconciling Immutability of Judgments With Equitable Labor Standards
The Supreme Court clarifies when a final judgment can be reconsidered, balancing the doctrine of immutability with the rights of illegally dismissed employees.
Finality of Judgments: Customs Bureau Bound by Interest on Seized Shipments
Supreme Court clarifies that final judgments, including interest awards, bind the Bureau of Customs on seized shipments.
Finality of Judgments and Why Proper Appeals Matter in Philippine Law
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on bid price inadequacy, deficiency recovery, and why timely appeals protect final judgments.
Clarification vs. Amendment: When a Final Judgment Can Still Be Explained
Philippine courts can clarify final judgments but not amend them. Learn the distinction from Spouses Mahusay vs. B.E. San Diego, Inc.
When a Final Judgment Bars a New Case: Res Judicata and Forum Shopping in Loan Disputes
The Supreme Court explains how a final ruling on loan interest rates can bar a later case through res judicata and forum shopping.
Final Judgments in Philippine Courts: Supervening Events and the Doctrine of Immutability
Learn how the Supreme Court defines supervening events and why final judgments in the Philippines are generally immutable and unalterable.
Final Judgments Are Immutable: Limits of Legal Review in Labor Cases
A final judgment cannot be reopened. Learn how the Supreme Court applied the immutability doctrine in a labor dispute.
RES Judicata Preventing Relitigation OF Final Judgments IN Property Disputes
Judge Dismissed for Gross Ignorance of Law in Reversing Final Order
Supreme Court dismisses judge who reversed a final and executory order, reaffirming the immutability of final judgments in Philippine courts.
Gross Ignorance of the Law: When Judges Overstep Final Judgments
A judge's motu proprio reversal of a final and executory order leads to dismissal for gross ignorance of the law in this administrative case.
Compromise Agreements: When Can a Court Modify a Final Judgment
Philippine Supreme Court explains when a judgment by compromise can be modified, and why finality usually prevails.
When Death of the Accused Before Final Judgment Extinguishes Criminal and Civil Liability
Philippine Supreme Court explains how an accused's death before final judgment extinguishes criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto under the Revised Penal Code.
Final Judgment Rule: When Court Decisions in Property Disputes Become Immutable
The final judgment rule makes court decisions in property disputes final and executory. Learn the exceptions and practical implications.
Corporate Rehabilitation vs Labor Rights: Balancing Competing Interests in Dismissal Cases
How the Supreme Court balanced a company's rehabilitation stay order against an employee's final judgment for illegal dismissal.
When Final Judgments Clash: Upholding the Anti-Graft Law and Defining Usurpation of Judicial Functions in the
A provincial adjudicator ignored a final Court of Appeals ruling, leading to a landmark conviction under the Anti-Graft Law and a clarifying ruling on usurpation of judicial functions.
Personal Liability of Corporate Officers: Limits on Altering Final Labor Judgments
When can corporate officers be personally liable in labor cases? The Supreme Court clarifies limits on modifying final judgments.
Finality of Judgment in Disbarment Cases: Lessons from Bihag v. Era
The Supreme Court denies a disbarred lawyer's attempt to reopen a final judgment, citing the doctrine of immutability of judgment and citing him for indirect contempt.