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.

Showing 118 of 18 articles for functus officio

Upholding Contractual Freedom: Injunctive Relief and the Limits of Exclusivity in Lottery Operations

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when injunctive relief fails absent a clear legal right, using the PCSO-PGMC lottery lease dispute.

Corporate Records Access: Stockholder Rights and Officer Duties After Dissolution

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that a stockholder's right to inspect corporate records survives corporate dissolution and continues during liquidation.

Redemption of Foreclosed Property: Full Payment Required, Good Intent Not Enough

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that redeeming a foreclosed property requires full payment of the redemption price within the one-year period, not just partial payments or good intentions.

Lis Pendens Cancellation: Which Court Has Jurisdiction Over Property Disputes

Learn which court can cancel a notice of lis pendens in Philippine property disputes, based on a 2010 Supreme Court ruling.

Franchise Tax Exemptions: Scope and Limits for Telecom Companies

The Supreme Court clarifies when "in lieu of all taxes" clauses in telecom franchises do not exempt companies from local business taxes.

Private Land Rights Prevail Over Free Patent Applications Understanding Land Ownership Disputes

Learn how the Supreme Court ruled that private land cannot be subjected to free patent applications, settling a decades-long ownership dispute.

Territorial Disputes and Preliminary Injunctions: When a Writ Is Not Functus Officio

A preliminary injunction over disputed territory is not functus officio merely because a party later amends its answer. The Supreme Court explains the law-of-the-case doctrine.

When Injunctions Expire: Understanding Functus Officio in Philippine Courts

When a court injunction loses its legal basis, it becomes functus officio. Learn how this doctrine applies in Philippine property disputes.

Correcting Election Errors When Canvassers Reconvene After Proclamation

When can a board of canvassers reconvene to fix tally errors after a winner is proclaimed? The Supreme Court explains.

Prescription of Claims in Maritime Employment: Time Limits and Legal Recourse

When POEA contracts expire, seafarers may fall under Labor Code rules. Learn how Delos Santos v. Jebsen Maritime clarifies rights.

POEA Contract or Labor Code: Which Governs Seafarer Rights in Domestic Waters?

Supreme Court clarifies when a POEA-approved seafarer contract ends and the Labor Code takes over for domestic voyages.

Sheriff's Duty to Execute Writs Timely: Administrative Liability Explained

When a sheriff receives a writ of execution, delay beyond the 60-day period is neglect of duty, even if parties consented.

Res Judicata and Forum Shopping in Partition Cases: When a Separate Nullity Suit Is Barred

A Supreme Court ruling explains why a separate action to nullify a deed of sale is barred by forum shopping when the same issue can be resolved in a pending partition case.

Clarifying Contract Obligations: Rentals vs Purchase Price in Property Disputes

Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when rental payments form part of the purchase price in property disputes, protecting buyers from altered contract terms.

Reviving Expired Judgments in the Philippines: The Terry Case and Contempt Limits

Learn when Philippine judgments expire, how to revive them, and why contempt cannot enforce stale court orders under the Terry ruling.

Non-Compete Clauses and Preliminary Injunctions: Time Limits and Mootness in Philippine Employment Law

Philippine Supreme Court ruling on how non-compete clauses affect preliminary injunction validity, time limits, and mootness in employment disputes.

Corporate Liquidation vs Labor Claims: How the Supreme Court Resolved the Conflict

When a company under rehabilitation is ordered liquidated, labor claims must be filed with the liquidator, not executed separately. Learn the rule.

Perjury in the Philippines: False Statements in Legal Documents Explained

Learn how Philippine courts define perjury, what makes a false statement criminal, and why withdrawing a petition does not erase liability.