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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Standby Letters of Credit vs Counter-Bonds: Safeguarding Preliminary Attachments in Philippine Litigation
A standby letter of credit cannot substitute a counter-bond to discharge a preliminary attachment under Rule 57, per the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court: Direct Petitions to SC Violate Hierarchy of Courts Rule
SC dismisses Palafox petition for bypassing Court of Appeals, reaffirming strict rule on hierarchy of courts in Philippine litigation.
When Courts Allow New Evidence Not Pre-Marked During Pre-Trial in Philippine Litigation
Philippine courts may admit evidence not pre-marked during pre-trial if good cause is shown. Learn the rule and its exceptions.
Timely Filing of Motions: Why Service on Counsel Matters in Philippine Courts
Learn how the Supreme Court clarified that notice to counsel, not the party, determines the timeliness of motions in Philippine litigation.
Balancing Justice and Procedure: When Technicalities Yield to Substantive Rights
A Supreme Court ruling on late filings, procedural rules, and the limits of substantial justice in Philippine litigation.
Untimely Appeal: When the Supreme Court Relaxes Procedural Rules in Philippine Litigation
The Supreme Court explains when missed deadlines and defective pleadings may be excused to prevent grave injustice.
Forum Shopping in Philippine Litigation: Lessons from BF Citiland v. BSP
The Supreme Court clarifies the rule against forum shopping and its consequences for parties filing multiple cases with the same cause of action.
Finality of Judgments: Why Procedural Rules Matter in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling on how improper service of a motion for reconsideration can make a judgment final and executory, barring recovery.
Implied Admission: The Impact of Unanswered Requests in Philippine Litigation
A party who ignores a request for admission risks implied admission of key facts, which can lead to summary judgment. This case explains why.
Compromise Agreements and Case Dismissal: Lessons from RCBC v. BDO
How parties in a long-running arbitration dispute ended their cases through compromise agreements, and what this means for Philippine litigation.
Secretary's Certificate as Proof of Corporate Authority in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a secretary's certificate suffices to prove corporate authority to file pleadings, and the duties of plaintiffs in pre-trial.
Compromise Agreements: A Strategic Tool to Nullify Preliminary Attachments in Philippine Litigation
How a compromise agreement can render preliminary attachment cases moot, dissolve writs, and end litigation under Philippine law.
Due Process and Indispensable Parties: Protecting Property Rights in Philippine Litigation
The Supreme Court explains why failing to implead an indispensable party voids a judgment and violates due process in property disputes.
Indispensable Parties in Philippine Litigation: Ensuring Complete Justice
Learn how the indispensable party rule ensures complete justice in Philippine litigation, and why courts require all necessary parties to be joined.
Compromise Agreements in Philippine Litigation: Ensuring Validity and Enforcement
Learn how Philippine courts treat compromise agreements, including validity requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and practical tips for ensuring compliance.
The Binding Nature of Counsel's Negligence: Implications for Litigants
Explore how counsel's negligence binds clients in Philippine litigation, based on the Supreme Court's ruling in Gulmatico v. People.
Contempt of Court: Limits on Summary Punishment and Judicial Notice in Philippine Litigation
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when courts may punish contempt summarily and when they may take judicial notice of other cases.
Motion to Dismiss Denied: Why Courts Must Adhere to Procedural Rules in Philippine Litigation
Learn why the Supreme Court strictly enforces the 15-day appeal period under Rule 41, and what happens when a motion for extension is filed.
Due Process and Preliminary Investigations: Balancing Rights in Philippine Law
Learn how the Supreme Court protects due process rights in Philippine litigation, including the duty to serve pleadings on counsel of record.
Huibonhoa v. Concepcion: Forum Shopping and Moot Petitions in Philippine Litigation
The Supreme Court denied a petition as moot and academic but clarified the test for forum shopping in the 2006 case of Huibonhoa v. Concepcion.
Procedural Compliance in Philippine Litigation: The PPSTA Case on Court Rules
A Supreme Court ruling shows why procedural rules matter—and when courts may relax them for substantial justice.
Dismissed Appeal: Why Following Court Rules Matters in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling shows why procedural rules matter: a Rule 43 petition wrongly filed against a DOJ resolution was dismissed.
When Courts Deny Postponements: Due Process in Philippine Litigation
A Supreme Court ruling on when denying a motion for postponement violates due process, and what parties must show to get a resetting.
Procedural Compliance in Philippine Courts: Lessons from Coca Cola Bottlers v. Cabalo
Why strict compliance with procedural rules matters in Philippine litigation, as shown in Coca Cola Bottlers v. Cabalo.