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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Can Heirs Challenge a Sale of Conjugal Property Made Without Spousal Consent?
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a sale of conjugal property without spousal consent is voidable, and who may challenge it.
Spousal Consent and Conjugal Property: When a Sale Without Permission Is Void
Learn when a spouse can sell conjugal property without consent in the Philippines, and why such sales are void under the Family Code.
Attorney's Fees in Property Disputes: Lessons from the Supreme Court's Aquino v. Domingo Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies how lawyers may recover contingent fees in agrarian property cases when no written contract exists.
Property Claims in Probate: When Philippine Courts Can Decide Ownership
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when probate courts can rule on property claims against a decedent's estate, distinguishing money claims from ownership disputes.
When Filing Two Property Lawsuits Is Not Forum Shopping: The Hocorma Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies when filing both an ejectment case and a collection suit over the same property does not constitute forum shopping.
Land Reclassification and Agrarian Reform Exemptions: A Guide for Property Owners and Farmers
Explaining when land reclassified before June 15, 1988 is exempt from CARP coverage, based on a 2021 Supreme Court ruling.
Res Judicata and Foreign Judgments: What Property Disputes Teach Us About Finality
Philippine courts won't take judicial notice of foreign judgments. Learn the rules on res judicata, litis pendentia, and proof of foreign pleadings.
Spousal Liability for Debts in the Philippines: The Zapanta Case Explained
When can one spouse be held liable for the other's debts? The Supreme Court's ruling in Zapanta v. Rustan clarifies the rules on family property liability.
Failure to State vs. Lack of Cause of Action: Key Distinctions in Philippine Property Cases
Learn the crucial difference between failure to state a cause of action and lack of cause of action, as clarified by the Supreme Court in Roa v. Sy.
Navigating Property Disputes: The Importance of Due Process and Property Identification in Philippine Law
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies estafa liability for selling property one does not own, emphasizing due process and proper property identification.
Estafa by Deceit in Property Sales: Lessons from Dulay v. People
The Supreme Court's ruling in Dulay v. People clarifies estafa by deceit in property transactions and the buyer's duty to verify ownership.
When Property Division Follows a Void Marriage: Philippine Supreme Court Guidance
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies property division rules after void marriages, protecting parties' rights and ensuring equitable outcomes.
Laches Prevails Over Registered Title Protecting Long Term Possession In Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when long-term possession defeats a Torrens title through laches, explained for property owners.
Understanding Unfair Competition in the Philippines: Lessons from a Landmark Supreme Court Case
A look at unfair competition under the Intellectual Property Code, explained through a 2021 Supreme Court ruling on confusingly similar products.
Property Ownership and Possession: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling clarifies ownership, possession, and the role of tax declarations in property disputes.
Spousal Consent in Property Leases: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that leases of common property without written spousal consent are void. Learn the rules and practical safeguards.
Can Laches Bar a Registered Owner’s Right to Recover Property in the Philippines?
The Supreme Court rules that laches cannot defeat a registered owner’s right to recover property under the Torrens system.
Understanding Interest on Final Judgments: A Guide for Property Owners and Legal Professionals
The Supreme Court clarifies when legal interest begins to run on final money judgments against government agencies, protecting property owners' rights.
What a Notarized Deed Must Have: Lessons from a Philippine Property Dispute
A Supreme Court ruling on notarization requirements in a family property dispute, and what it means for heirs and property owners.
Property Transactions and Novation: Lessons from East West Banking v. Cruz
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when a bank—or any party—can sue, and why choosing the wrong appeal can end a case.
Environmental Tort and Negligence: Protecting Property Owners From Damages
Learn how the Supreme Court addressed environmental tort, negligence, and property damages in a case involving Lake Lanao flooding.
Intervention in Property Disputes: Lessons from the Supreme Court on Timely Action and Procedure
The Supreme Court explains when intervention in property cases is proper, and why procedural rules still matter even in equitable remedies.
Unlawful Detainer and Property Rights: Possession vs Ownership in Philippine Law
Understand the key difference between possession and ownership in unlawful detainer cases, explained through a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Land Reclassification and Zoning Ordinances Prevail Over CARP Coverage
When a local government reclassifies land as non-agricultural before June 15, 1988, and the HLURB ratifies it, the property may be exempt from agrarian reform coverage.