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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Unregistered Land and Due Diligence: A Bank's Duty in Mortgage Contracts
When a bank mortgages unregistered land, it must verify true ownership. The Supreme Court explains the consequences of failing this duty.
Co-Ownership and Good Faith: Understanding Property Rights in the Philippines
A Supreme Court ruling clarifies that a co-owner can only sell their own share, and buyers must verify ownership of unregistered land.
Mortgage in Good Faith: Banks vs Unregistered Land Sales in the Philippines
When does a bank lose protection as a mortgagee in good faith? The Supreme Court clarifies the rule on unregistered land sales.
When a Lawyer Buys His Client’s Land: Double Sale and Bad Faith Under Philippine Law
A lawyer who bought land his clients had already purchased lost the case. The Supreme Court explains double sales, bad faith, and unregistered land rules.
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.
Bad Faith in Unregistered Land Sales and Trust Disputes: Belle Corp. v. De Leon-Banks
When can a buyer of unregistered land be sued for bad faith? The Supreme Court clarifies pleading rules in trust and property disputes.
Unregistered Land Sales: Why Registration Matters in Ownership Disputes
A Supreme Court ruling explains why an unregistered deed of sale cannot bind third parties in property disputes over unregistered land.
Unregistered Land Sale Loses To Registered Levy Protecting Third Party Rights
Learn how buying unregistered land during litigation can bind buyers to court rulings, and why registered levies protect third-party rights.
Mortgage on Unregistered Land in the Philippines: Risks and Due Diligence for Banks and Borrowers
Learn the risks of mortgaging unregistered land in the Philippines and the due diligence banks and borrowers must perform before foreclosure.
Land Transfer Knowledge vs Registration in Agrarian Reform: Heirs of Hidalgo
Why unregistered land sales before PD 27 do not exempt property from Operation Land Transfer coverage.
Unregistered Land Sales and Agrarian Reform: The Limits of Ownership Transfer
When do unregistered property sales fail against agrarian reform coverage? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on land transfers and PD 27.
Expiration of Redemption Rights: Failure to Consign Full Payment Voids Repurchase of Unregistered Land
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on why a defective consignation fails to redeem property sold with right to repurchase, and the risks of buying unregistered land.
Unregistered Land Sale Prevails Over Registered Mortgage Protecting Prior Ownership Rights
When an unregistered sale precedes a mortgage, the buyer's prior ownership rights can defeat the mortgagee's registered claims.
Unregistered Sale vs Attachment Priority OF Rights IN Land Disputes
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on unregistered land sales, laches, and ownership rights in property disputes explained in plain language.
Unregistered Land Donation and Tenant Rights Under Agrarian Reform
A Supreme Court ruling on why an unregistered land donation cannot defeat tenant rights under agrarian reform and Operation Land Transfer.
Mortgage in Bad Faith: Due Diligence in Unregistered Land Transactions
When a bank fails to verify ownership of unregistered land before accepting it as collateral, it acts in bad faith and loses protection as a mortgagee.
Unregistered Land Rights Trump Mortgages: Due Diligence for Banks in the Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on State Investment House v. CA: banks must inspect property beyond Torrens title or risk losing to unregistered buyers.