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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Attorney Neglect and the Duty to Return Fees: Ethical Boundaries in Legal Practice
When a lawyer takes a client's acceptance fee but renders no service, can the fee be kept? The Supreme Court says no.
Upholding Client Trust: Attorney Negligence and the Duty to Refund Unearned Fees in the Philippines
A lawyer who neglects a client's case must refund unearned acceptance fees. The Supreme Court explains the rules on attorney negligence and quantum meruit.
Acceptance Fee vs Attorney's Fee: What Clients Should Know
The Supreme Court clarifies the difference between acceptance fee and attorney's fee in legal representation, and when a lawyer must return payments.
Lawyer Suspended Six Months for Neglect and Failure to Return Client's Acceptance Fee
Learn how a lawyer's failure to render legal services and return a P50,000 acceptance fee led to a six-month suspension from practice.