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.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: Avoiding Conflicting Court Decisions
The Supreme Court clarifies the prohibition on forum shopping in labor cases, warning parties against raising the same issues in multiple forums to delay execution.
Social Media Conduct and Lawyer Discipline: Ethical Boundaries in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a lawyer's Facebook post shows how social media conduct can lead to contempt and disciplinary action.
Lawyer Disbarred for Falsifying Court Documents: A Landmark Ethics Ruling
The Supreme Court disbarred a lawyer for falsifying a nullity of marriage judgment, reaffirming the high ethical standards required of Philippine attorneys.
PAO Conflict of Interest Rule Upheld: What the Supreme Court Ruling Means
The Supreme Court upheld Section 22, Canon III of the CPRA, limiting conflict of interest imputation among PAO lawyers. Learn the implications.
When Media Interviews Can Lead to Indirect Contempt: The ABS-CBN v. Ampatuan Ruling
The Supreme Court clarifies the sub judice rule and when media interviews of witnesses may constitute indirect contempt.
Enforcing a Philippine Judgment: Time Limits, Property Levies, and Revival
Learn the 5-year rule for executing judgments in the Philippines, how to revive a dormant judgment, and what property a sheriff can levy.
Breach of Public Trust: Accountability for Mismanagement of Court Funds in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling on a clerk of court's liability for fund mismanagement, tampered receipts, and delayed deposits.
Lawyer Negligence: The Consequences of Failing to File Court Documents on Time
A lawyer's failure to file court documents on time can lead to disbarment. Learn from a Supreme Court case on attorney negligence.
Simple Neglect of Duty by Court Personnel: A Lesson from A.M. No. P-20-4075
When court staff fail to serve an order of release, the consequences can be grave. This ruling clarifies their duty and liability.
Balancing Procedural Rules and Substantive Justice in Criminal Appeals
The Supreme Court recalls an entry of judgment and reinstates a drug conviction appeal, showing when procedural lapses yield to substantive justice.
Writ of Possession in Philippine Foreclosures: Finality and the Lessons from HH & Co. v. Perlas
Learn when a writ of possession becomes final and executory in Philippine foreclosures, and why courts rarely recall it, based on HH & Co. v. Perlas.
Upholding Constitutional Rights: The Imperative of Impleading Indispensable Parties in Seizure Cases
This case clarifies the Ombudsman's right to intervene in appeals from its administrative rulings, and the procedural rules that govern such intervention.
Disbarment for Deceit in Settlement Talks: Fortune Medicare v. Atty. Lee
The Supreme Court disbarred Atty. Lee for dishonest settlement negotiations, reaffirming that lawyers must act with candor and integrity.
Attorney Suspended for Disobeying Court Orders: Abellanosa v. COA and NHA
The Supreme Court suspended a lawyer for five years for repeatedly ignoring lawful court directives, underscoring lawyers' duty to obey court orders.
Upholding Ethical Conduct: Disciplinary Action for Abuse of Court Processes
The Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for two years for dilatory tactics that delayed execution of a final judgment, violating the Lawyer's Oath and Code of Professional Responsibility.
When Procedural Lapses Yield to Substantial Justice: Ben Line v. Madson
The Supreme Court ruled that procedural rules must yield to substantial justice when a party rectifies defects, as in Ben Line v. Madson.
Forum Shopping in the Philippines: What the Zamora Case Teaches Litigants
Learn how the Supreme Court defines and penalizes forum shopping, and what the Zamora ruling means for litigants filing multiple cases.
Disbarment for Deceit and Unauthorized Notarization: Ethical Standards for Lawyers
Supreme Court affirms suspension and notarial disqualification for a lawyer who used falsified documents and notarized outside his jurisdiction.
Practicing Law While Suspended: No Automatic Return After Suspension Period
A lawyer suspended from practice cannot resume work until the Court formally lifts the suspension — even if the suspension period has already ended.
Forum Shopping by Lawyers: Ethical Duty and the Price of Misconduct
A lawyer's filing of successive petitions constituted forum shopping, resulting in a six-month suspension from the practice of law.
Strict Compliance Required for Serving Summons on Domestic Corporations
The Supreme Court clarifies that service of summons on domestic corporations must strictly follow Rule 14, Section 11, or the court lacks jurisdiction.
Reconveyance Actions Proving Ownership Beyond Mere Possession
Learn when courts consolidate reconveyance and reivindicatory actions, and why Torrens titles cannot be collaterally attacked under Philippine law.
Sheriffs Must Strictly Follow Execution Procedures or Face Administrative Liability
Philippine Supreme Court reminds sheriffs to strictly follow execution rules, compute amounts themselves, and file timely returns.
Missed Appeal Deadlines in Agrarian Cases: When Negligence Costs the Right to Appeal
The Supreme Court rules on missed appeal deadlines in agrarian disputes, explaining when a motion for reconsideration suspends the period and why certiorari cannot replace a lost appeal.