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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Contempt of Court: Balancing Judicial Authority and Individual Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on indirect contempt, fines versus indefinite incarceration, and the courts' coercive power to enforce orders.
Finality of Judgment and the Limits of Post-Decision Remedies in Disbarment Cases
A disbarred lawyer's belated motion to reopen his case fails before the doctrine of finality of judgment, earning him contempt and fines.
Judicial Accountability: The Duty to Decide Cases Promptly Despite Pending Memoranda
The Supreme Court reminds judges that pending memoranda do not suspend the 90-day period to decide cases, imposing fines for delay.
Extrinsic Fraud and Due Process in Property Disputes: A Philippine Supreme Court Primer
Learn how the Supreme Court defines extrinsic fraud and due process in property disputes, with practical guidance for litigants.
Abandonment in Labor Disputes: Defining Intent and Action
Understanding how Philippine labor law defines abandonment—requiring both intent to sever and unequivocal acts—and why employers must prove it.
Lawyer's Courtroom Bullying and Defiance of IBP Orders Draw PHP 155,000 Fine
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer PHP 155,000 for shouting at court personnel and defying IBP directives, reaffirming lawyer conduct standards.
Defining Status Quo Ante in Philippine Injunctions: Verzosa v. Court of Appeals
Learn how the Supreme Court defines "status quo ante" in injunctions, and why amended complaints relate back to the original filing date.
Use It or Lose It: Understanding Abandonment of Mining Claims in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court defines abandonment of mining claims, including annual work obligations, tax payments, and the consequences of non-compliance.
Lawyer's Disbarment Does Not Erase Liability for Prior Misconduct: A.C. No. 11508
The Supreme Court fines a disbarred lawyer for pre-disbarment misconduct, clarifying that disbarment does not erase liability for earlier ethical violations.
Illegal Dismissal in the Philippines: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations
Learn how Philippine law defines illegal dismissal, abandonment, and the rights of piece-rate workers to security of tenure and back wages.
Illegal Recruitment in the Philippines: Supreme Court Case Analysis and Prevention Tips
Learn how the Supreme Court defines illegal recruitment in large scale, the penalties under the Labor Code, and practical tips to avoid recruitment scams.
Judicial Efficiency Consequences for Judges Delaying Case Resolutions
Learn how Philippine courts penalize judges for delayed case resolutions, with rules on fines, retirement benefits, and judicial accountability.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Key Lessons From Philippine Jurisprudence
Learn how the Supreme Court defines illegal recruitment in large scale, its elements, penalties, and evidence rules from a landmark 1997 case.
Lawyer's Disrespect Toward Court Personnel and IBP Noncompliance: A.C. No. 11508
Supreme Court fines disbarred lawyer for disrespecting court personnel and disobeying IBP directives, clarifying penalties under CPRA.
Consent Is Key: Understanding Rape and Consensual Sex in Philippine Law
The Supreme Court explains why lack of consent defines rape, using a robbery-with-rape case to clarify the law.
Judicial Misconduct When Ignorance of the Law Is No Excuse
Supreme Court fines judge and clerk for issuing subpoena to a life-term prisoner without authority, ruling ignorance of circulars is no excuse.
Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale: What the Supreme Court Says About Your Rights
Learn how the Supreme Court defines illegal recruitment in large scale, what victims must prove, and the penalties recruiters face.
Navigating Illegal Recruitment: Protecting Yourself From Scams in the Philippines
Learn how the Supreme Court defines illegal recruitment and large-scale schemes, and discover practical tips to avoid overseas employment scams.
Lawyer’s Disbarment Upheld, PHP 155,000 Fine Imposed for Disrespect to Courts
Supreme Court fines a disbarred lawyer PHP 155,000 for disrespecting courts and disobeying IBP orders, clarifying penalties after disbarment.
Breach of Contract: Understanding Delay and Damages in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court defines delay in contracts, moral damages, and breach of obligation in this Philippine case analysis.
Understanding Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Avoiding Dismissal of Your Case
Learn how the Supreme Court defines forum shopping in the Philippines and why failure to file a motion for reconsideration can doom your case.
Addressing Judicial Delay: Penalties and Solutions for Efficient Case Resolution in Philippine Courts
Philippine Supreme Court imposes fines and directives to address judicial delay, emphasizing the 90-day decision rule and court efficiency.
Understanding Finality of Judgments and Avoiding Contempt of Court
Learn how the Supreme Court defines finality of judgments and why filing repeated motions can lead to contempt of court.