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.
Get a cited, plain-language answer from 184,000+ statutes and decisions — free, no sign-up.
Disproving Forgery: Standards for Signature Comparison in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies standards for comparing signatures to prove forgery, emphasizing timing, genuine specimens, and burden of proof.
Admissibility vs Probative Value in Illegal Dismissal Cases: Burden of Proof on Employers
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that admissible evidence may still lack probative value in illegal dismissal cases, reaffirming employer's burden of proof.
Future Inheritance Contracts Are Void: Arrogante v. Deliarte Explained
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on void contracts over future inheritance, and the exceptions that can save family property arrangements.
Deposition Deadlines in Corporate Disputes: What Philippine Computer Solutions v. Manzo Teaches
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies deposition deadlines in intra-corporate disputes and why interlocutory orders must be raised on appeal.
Authentication or Bust: When Private Documents Need Proof to Fly in Court
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why private documents like audited financial statements must be authenticated before courts can admit them as evidence.
Price Certainty in Real Estate Sales: When a "Yes" Is Not Enough
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a contract of sale requires a definite price; vague terms and unresolved payment details prevent perfection.
Custody Disputes: Why a Mother's Fitness Prevails for Children Under Seven
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies the tender-age presumption in custody disputes, affirming a mother's right to sole custody absent compelling evidence of unfitness.
When a Sale Is Valid Despite Defective Notarization: Lessons from a Philippine Supreme Court Ruling
A Philippine Supreme Court ruling explains when a notarized deed remains valid despite defects, and how courts view claims of forgery and lack of consideration.
Credibility of Witnesses and Inconsistencies Between Affidavits and Court Testimony in Rape Cases
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on witness credibility, affidavit-testimony inconsistencies, and penalties for rape by sexual intercourse and sexual assault.
Fixed-Term Employment: Employers Cannot Terminate Before Contract Expiry Without Just Cause
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on fixed-term employment: employers cannot terminate workers before contract expiry without just cause, even with waiver clauses.
Seafarer Breach Before Boarding: Damages Despite No Employer-Employee Relationship
Philippine Supreme Court rules a seafarer can claim damages for unjustified non-deployment even without employer-employee relationship.
Possession of Stolen Cattle and Proof of Guilt in Anti-Cattle Rustling Cases
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies how possession of stolen cattle establishes guilt beyond reasonable doubt under the Anti-Cattle Rustling Law.
Prior Possession Prevails in Forcible Entry: Claudio v. Quebral
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that in forcible entry cases, prior physical possession—not ownership—determines who recovers the property.
Publication Requirement for Tax Ordinances: A Prerequisite to Enforceability
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that publication of local tax ordinances is a condition precedent to their enforceability and collection.
Compromise Judgments Are Final: Courts Cannot Alter Agreed Terms But Must Ensure Clarity for Enforcement
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise judgments: courts cannot alter agreed terms, but vague provisions invite disputes and enforcement problems.
Finality Prevails: Mootness Doctrine Limits Judicial Review After Judgment Execution
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on compromise judgments, res judicata, and the mootness doctrine in visitorial rights disputes.
Correcting Civil Registry Entries: Balancing Accuracy and Adversarial Proceedings in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when substantial corrections to civil registry entries require adversarial proceedings under Rule 108, not just summary correction.
Urban Land Reform and Right of First Refusal: Tenant Rights in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when tenants can claim right of first refusal under PD 1517 and urban land reform zones.
Workplace Remarks and Dismissal: When Is It Serious Misconduct in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employee remarks during union meetings constitute serious misconduct warranting dismissal.
When Is Employee Misconduct Serious Enough for Dismissal? A Philippine Labor Law Guide
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when employee misconduct justifies dismissal, and when it is too minor a penalty. Learn the rules.
Intent vs Action: Differentiating Attempted From Frustrated Murder in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a stabbing is attempted, not frustrated, murder—and why the subjective phase matters.
Protecting Seafarer Rights: Why Proper Documentation Is Key in Illegal Dismissal Cases in the Philippines
Learn how proper documentation protects seafarer rights in illegal dismissal cases, based on a Philippine Supreme Court ruling.
When Strikes Defy Orders: Consequences for Union Officers in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on illegal strikes, union officer liability, and penalties for defying labor secretary orders.
Developer's Duty to Maintain Subdivision Streetlights Until Turnover
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies developer obligations for subdivision streetlight maintenance and electricity costs until turnover to local government.