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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SALN Declarations and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from a Judge's Insurance Business Case
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies when judges face liability for owning businesses and why SALN transparency matters for good faith errors.
Judicial Ethics Lessons from a Judge's Misconduct: The Alzate Case
The Supreme Court's ruling in the Alzate administrative case offers key lessons on judicial ethics, propriety, and accountability for Philippine judges.
Lessons on Judicial Ethics From a Dismissed Administrative Case Against Judges
Supreme Court dismisses administrative complaint against two RTC judges, warning against harassment suits that intimidate the bench.
Disgraceful and Immoral Conduct: Supreme Court Ruling on Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court holds court employees accountable for disgraceful and immoral conduct, even after resignation. Learn the rules and penalties.
Judicial Ethics and Court Employees: The Limits of Intervention in Legal Proceedings
Court employees must not meddle in cases where they have no official role. Learn from a Supreme Court ruling on simple misconduct.
Judicial Ethics: Scrutinizing Complaints Against Justices and the Standard of Proof
A look at how the Supreme Court handles administrative complaints against justices, using a 2018 case to explain the burden of proof.
Judicial Ethics: Impartiality and Integrity Beyond the Bench
A Court of Appeals justice fined for casino gambling shows that judicial ethics reach beyond the bench. Learn the rules and limits.
Court Employee Suspended for Misconduct and Solicitation: A Lesson in Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court suspended a clerk of court for soliciting bail money and mishandling property, reaffirming strict ethical standards for court personnel.
Judicial Ethics: When a Judge's Private Conduct Costs the Bench
A judge's affair with a litigant led to dismissal. The Supreme Court clarifies judicial ethics standards for Philippine magistrates.
Judicial Ethics: Substantiated Claims of Misconduct Against Court Personnel
Learn how the Supreme Court handles administrative misconduct claims against sheriffs, including the rules on evidence and withdrawal of complaints.
Judicial Ethics: Conviction of Moral Turpitude Leads to Dismissal and Disbarment
A judge's conviction for malversation and graft leads to dismissal from the bench and disbarment, even while criminal appeals are pending.
Judicial Ethics: Compulsory Disqualification and Gross Ignorance of the Law
A judge who hears a case involving a relative violates compulsory disqualification rules and may face administrative liability for gross ignorance of the law.
Attorney Sanctioned for Baseless Complaint Against Justice: Lessons on Judicial Ethics
The Supreme Court held a lawyer in indirect contempt for filing a baseless administrative complaint against a Court of Appeals justice, reaffirming that such complaints cannot substitute for judicial
Judicial Ethics: Avoiding Impropriety and Its Appearance in Judges' Conduct
A judge's off-bench conduct matters. The Supreme Court fined a judge for drinking with a litigant, showing why appearance of impropriety is a serious offense.
Judicial Ethics: Court Employee Cannot Buy Litigated Property
Court employees must avoid acquiring property in litigation, even outside their court's jurisdiction, to uphold judicial integrity.
Judicial Ethics Maintaining Impartiality AND Avoiding Impropriety IN A Judges Private Life
Unauthorized Practice of Law and Judicial Ethics: Lessons from Ciocon-Reer v. Lubao
The Supreme Court clarifies when judges face administrative liability and penalizes a non-lawyer for unauthorized practice of law.
Judicial Ethics: Sheriff Dismissed for Accepting Payoffs in Landmark Philippine Ruling
Supreme Court dismisses deputy sheriff for accepting kickbacks from a newspaper publisher in exchange for judicial notice assignments, reaffirming strict ethics for court personnel.
Consensual Relationships AND Judicial Ethics When Does Private Conduct Merit Public Scrutiny
Judicial Ethics: Why Judges Must Avoid Even the Appearance of Impropriety
A Supreme Court ruling on a judge soliciting donations from lawyers and prosecutors, and the duty to avoid impropriety.
Judicial Ethics and Public Trust: When Government Cannot Hide Behind State Immunity
Supreme Court ruling on state immunity, quantum meruit, and why government contractors deserve payment for completed public works.
Plagiarism and Judicial Ethics: Del Castillo Case Sets Standard for Intent
Supreme Court clarifies that plagiarism requires intent to deceive, distinguishing inadvertent attribution errors from judicial misconduct.
Judicial Ethics: Authorized and Unauthorized Absences for Philippine Judges
Explaining the Supreme Court ruling on when judges incur unauthorized absences and when filing leave is required under CSC rules.
Judicial Ethics: Judge Fined for Using Official Position in Personal Dispute
Supreme Court fines judge P11,000 for using judicial letterhead to pressure officials in personal dispute over a relative's piggery business.