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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Trade Name vs Trademark: Priority Rights and Protection Under the IP Code
The Supreme Court clarifies when a trade name can defeat a trademark registration, and the limits of priority rights under the IP Code.
Priority of Registered Levy vs. Prior Unregistered Sale in Property Disputes
The Supreme Court clarifies when a prior unregistered sale beats a later registered levy on execution, and the rules on service of summons by publication.
Priority of Registered Levy vs Prior Unregistered Sale in Philippine Property Law
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies when a registered levy on execution beats a prior unregistered sale, and when it does not.
Defective Service of Summons and Prior Unregistered Sale: Key Lessons from Go v. Court of Appeals
Supreme Court clarifies rules on service of summons by publication and priority of prior unregistered sales over registered levies.
Tax Liens vs Judgment Credits: Priority Disputes in Philippine Law
Supreme Court ruling on when a tax lien beats a judgment creditor's levy on real property under the National Internal Revenue Code.
Overlapping Land Titles in the Philippines: Priority of Registration and Legal Remedies
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. Learn the rules and remedies in Philippine property disputes.
Priority of Title: Resolving Conflicting Land Ownership Claims in the Philippines
When two titles cover the same land, the earlier one prevails. The Supreme Court explains the rule in Aquino v. Estate of Aguirre.
Corporate Name Disputes Priority Rights and Confusing Similarity in Trademark Law
Learn how Philippine courts resolve corporate name disputes, priority rights, and confusing similarity in trademark registration cases.
Priority in Public Land Sales: Prior Application vs Length of Occupancy
In public land sales, the date of application generally prevails over length of occupancy. Galindez v. Firmalan explains why.
Unregistered Donations vs Registered Sales: Priority in Land Ownership Disputes
When a donation isn't registered, a later buyer who relies on the Torrens title may win ownership. Learn the rules.
Priority of Title in Conflicting Land Claims Under the Torrens System
When two Torrens titles cover the same land, the earlier registered title prevails. This case explains the rule and its limits.
Priority OF Title Resolving Land Ownership Disputes Based ON Registration Date
Priority of Interest Payments in Foreclosure: When Debt Settlement Falls Short
Learn how the Supreme Court applies Article 1253 in foreclosure cases—payments first cover interest and penalties before principal.
Priority of Registered Adverse Claims Over Subsequent Mortgages: Protecting Land Rights in the Philippines
Learn how a registered adverse claim protects land rights against subsequent mortgages, and why prior registration prevails under Philippine property law.
Priority OF Registered Levy Over Unregistered Sale Protecting Creditors Rights IN Property Disputes
Priority of Registered Levy Over Unnoted Claims Protecting Creditors in Real Estate Disputes
Learn how registered levies protect creditors in Philippine real estate disputes and why unnoted claims lose priority under the Torrens system.
Attachment Liens Priority Rights AND Protection IN Property Disputes
Learn how prior attachment liens survive property transfers and title cancellations, and why courts must preserve these encumbrances.
Attachment Liens Priority AND Protection IN Real Property Disputes
A prior attachment lien survives title cancellation and transfers, binding the property and subsequent purchasers until the debt is paid.
Unregistered Land Sales: Priority Rights and a Lawyer's Ethical Duty
When a lawyer buys his client's land, bad faith and conflict of interest can void the sale. Learn the rules on unregistered land priority.
Estate Administration: Legal Heirs Preferred in Appointment of Administrator
Supreme Court clarifies that legitimate heirs have priority in estate administration, and co-administrators may only be appointed in exceptional circumstances.
Census Is King: Priority Rights Yield to Actual Occupancy in Philippine Housing Projects
In ZIP housing projects, the official census and tagging determine who gets the lot—not priority certificates or prior possession claims.
Philippine Mining Rights: Securing Priority Through Timely Filing of Applications
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on mining rights priority: timely filing of applications determines preferential rights, not later registration.
Mortgage Priority Good Faith Trumps Subsequent Attachment In Property Disputes
Supreme Court ruling on mortgage priority, good faith, and why unregistered attachments don't defeat prior real estate mortgages.
Adverse Claims and Execution Liens: Priority Rules in Philippine Property Law
When an adverse claim is annotated on a title before a levy on execution, the earlier claim prevails. This case explains the priority rule.