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CONFLICT OF LAWS REVIEWER

CONFLICTS OF LAWS; Definition:


1. That part of the law of each state or nation which determines whether, in dealing
with a legal situation, the law or some other state or nation will be recognized, given
effect, or applied (16 Am Jur, 2d, Conflict of Laws, 1).
2.

That part of municipal law of a state which directs its courts and administrative
agencies, when confronted with a legal problem involving a foreign element, whether
or not they should apply a foreign law/s (Paras).

DISTINGUISHED FROM PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW


BASIS

CONFLICT OF LAW

LAW OF NATIONS

Nature

Municipal in character

International in character

Persons
involved

Dealt with by private


individuals; governs
individuals in their private
transactions which involve a
foreign element

Sovereign states and other


entities possessing
international personality,
e.g., UN; governs states in
their relationships amongst
themselves

Private transactions between


private individuals

Generally affected by public


interest; those in general are
of interest only to sovereign
states

Transaction
s involved

May be peaceful or forcible

Peaceful: includes
diplomatic negotiation,
tender & exercise of good
offices, mediation, inquiry &
conciliation, arbitration,
judicial settlement by ICJ,
reference to regional
agencies
Forcible: includes
severance of diplomatic
relations, retorsions,
reprisals, embargo, boycott,
non-intercourse, pacific
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Remedies
and
Sanctions

blockades, collective
measures under the UN
Resort to municipal tribunals

Charter, and war.

SOURCES:
Direct:
1. Constitutions
2. Codifications

1.
2.
3.
4.

Special Laws
Treaties and Conventions
Judicial Decisions
International Customs

Indirect:
1. Natural moral law
1.

Work of writers

TERMS:
Lex Domicilii law of the domicile; in conflicts, the law of ones domicile applied in the
choice of law questions
Lex Fori law of the forum; that is, the positive law of the state, country or jurisdiction
of whose judicial system of the court where the suit is brought or remedy is sought is an
integral part. Substantive rights are determined by the law where the action arose (lex
loci) while the procedural rights are governed by the law of the place of the forum (lex
fori)
Lex Loci law of the place
Lex Loci Contractus the law of the place where the contract was made or law of the
place where the contract is to be governed (place of performance) which may or may
not be the same as that of the place where it was made
Lex Loci Rei Sitae law of the place where the thing or subject matter is situated; the
title to realty or question of real estate law can be affected only by the law of the place
where it is situated
Lex Situs law of the place where property is situated; the general rule is that lands
and other immovables are governed by the law of the state where they are situated
Lex Loci Actus law of the place where the act was done
Lex Loci Celebrationis law of the place where the contract is made
Lex Loci Solutionis law of the place of solution; the law of the place where payment
or performance of a contract is to be made
Lex Loci Delicti Commissi law of the place where the crime took place
Lex Mereatoria law merchant; commercial law; that system of laws which is adopted
by all commercial nations and constitute as part of the law of the land; part of common
law
Lex Non Scripta the unwritten common law, which includes general and particular
customs and particular local laws

Lex Patriae national law


Renvoi Doctrine doctrine whereby a jural matter is presented which the conflict of
laws rules of the forum refer to a foreign law which in turn, refers the matter back to the
law of the forum or a third state. When reference is made back to the law of the forum,
this is said to be remission while reference to a third state is called transmission.
Nationality Theory by virtue of which the status and capacity of an individual are
generally governed by the law of his nationality. This is principally adopted in the RP
Domiciliary Theory in general, the status, condition, rights, obligations, & capacity of
a person should be governed by the law of his domicile.
Long Arm Statutes Statutes allowing the courts to exercise jurisdiction when there
are minimum contacts between the non-resident defendant and the forum.
WAYS OF DEALING WITH A CONFLICTS PROBLEM:
1. Dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction, or on the ground of forum non-conveniens
DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS the forum is inconvenient; the ends of
justice would be best served by trial in another forum; the controversy may be more
suitably tried elsewhere
1.

Assume jurisdiction and apply either the law of the forum or of another state
1.
i.
A specific law of the forum decrees that internal law should
apply
1. APPLY INTERNAL LAW forum law should be applied whenever there is good
reason to do so; there is a good reason when any one of the following factors is
present:

Examples:

Article. 16 of the Civil Code real and personal property subject to the law of the
country where they are situated and testamentary succession governed by lex
nationalii

Article 829 of the Civil Code makes revocation done outside Philippines valid
according to law of the place where will was made or lex domicilii

Article 819 of the Civil Code prohibits Filipinos from making joint wills even if valid in
foreign country
1. ii. The proper foreign law was not properly pleaded and proved

NOTICE AND PROOF OF FOREIGN LAW

As a general rule, courts do not take judicial notice of foreign laws; Foreign laws must
be pleaded and proved

Effect of failure to plead and prove foreign law (3 alternatives) of the forum court:
(a) Dismiss the case for inability to establish cause of action
(b) Assume that the foreign law of the same as the law of the forum
(c) Apply the law of the forum

1.

The case falls under any of the exceptions to the application of foreign law

Exceptions to application of foreign law:

(a) The foreign law is contrary to the public policy of the forum
(b) The foreign law is procedural in nature
(c) The case involves issues related to property, real or personal (lex situs)
(d) The issue involved in the enforcement of foreign claim is fiscal or administrative
(e) The foreign law or judgment is contrary to good morals (contra bonos mores)
(f) The foreign law is penal in character
(g) When application of the foreign law may work undeniable injustice to the citizens of
the forum
(h) When application of the foreign law might endanger the vital interest of the state

2.

APPLY FOREIGN LAW when properly pleaded and proved

THEORIES WHY FOREIGN LAW SHOULD BE GIVEN EFFECT


1. Theory of Comity foreign law is applied because of its convenience & because we
want to giveprotection to our citizens, residents, & transients in our land
2.

Theory of Vested Rights we seek to enforce not foreign law itself but the rights
that have been vested under such foreign law; an act done in another state may give
rise to the existence of a right if the laws of that state crated such right.

3.

Theory of Local Law adherents of this school of thought believe that we apply
foreign law not because it is foreign, but because our laws, by applying similar rules,
require us to do so; hence, it is as if the foreign law has become part & parcel of our
local law

4.

Theory of Harmony of Laws theorists here insist that in many cases we have to
apply the foreign laws so that wherever a case is decided, that is, irrespective of the
forum, the solution should beapproximately the same; thus, identical or similar
solutions anywhere & everywhere. When the goal is realized, there will be harmony
of laws

5.

Theory of Justice the purpose of all laws, including Conflict of Laws, is the
dispensing of justice; if this can be attained in may cases applying the proper foreign
law, we must do so

Rules on Status in General


Factual Situation

Beginning of personality of natural


person

Point of Contact

National law of the child (Article 15,


CC)

2
Ways & effects of emancipation

Same

Age of majority

Same

Use of names and surnames

Same

Use of titles of nobility

Same

Absence

Same

Presumptive death & survivorship

Lex fori (Article 43, 390, 391, CC;


Rule 131 5 [jj], Rules of Court)

Rules on Marriage as a Contract


FACTUAL SITUATION

Celebra
ted
Abroad

POINT OF CONTACT

Between Filipinos

Lex loci celebrationis is without


prejudice to the exceptions under
Articles 25, 35 (1, 4, 5 & 6), 36,
37 & 38 of the Family Code
(bigamous & incestuous
marriages) & consular marriages

Between Foreigners

Lex loci celebrationis EXCEPT if


the marriage is:
1. Highly immoral (like
bigamous/ polygamous
marriages)
2. Universally considered
incestuous (between
brother-sister, and
ascendants-descendants)

Mixed

Apply 1 (b) to uphold validity of


marriage

Celebra
ted in

Between Foreigners

National law (Article 21, FC)


PROVIDED the marriage is not
highly immoral or universally
considered incestuous)

Mixed

National law of Filipino (otherwise


public policy may be militated
against)

Marriage by proxy (NOTE: a


marriage by proxy is considered
celebrated where the proxy
appears

Lex loci celebrationis (with


prejudice to the foregoing rules)

RP

Rules on Marriage as a Status


FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Personal rights & obligations between


husband & wife

National of husband(Note: Effect of


subsequent change of nationality:
1. If both will have a new
nationality the new one
2. If only one will change the
last common nationality
3. If no common nationality
nationality of husband at the
time of wedding)

Property relations bet husband & wife

National law of husband without


prejudice to what the CC provides
concerning REAL property located in
the RP (Article 80) (NOTE: Change of
nationality has NO EFFECT. This is
the DOCTRINE OF IMMUTABILITY
IN THE MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY
REGIME)

Rules on Property
FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Real property

Lex rei sitae (Article 16, CC)

Excepti
ons

Successional rights

National law of decedent (Article 16


par. 2, CC)

Capacity to succeed

National law of decedent (Article.


1039)

Contracts involving real property


which do not deal with the title
thereto

The law intended will be the proper


law of the contract (lex loci
voluntantis or lex loci intentionis)

Contracts where the real property is


given as security

The principal contract (usually loan)


is governed by the proper law oft
the contract (lex loci
voluntatis or lex loci
intentionis)NOTE: the mortgage
itself is governed by lex rei sitae.
There is a possibility that the

principal contract is valid but the


mortgage is void; or it may be the
other way around. If the principal
contract is void, the mortgage will
also be void (for lack of proper
cause or consideration), although by
itself, the mortgage could have
been valid.
Tangible personal property (choses in possession)

1
In General

Lex rei sitae (Article. 16, CC)

Exceptions: same as those for real


property

EXCEPTION: same as those for real


property EXCEPT that in the
example concerning mortgage, the
same must be changed to pledge of
personal property)

Means of Transportation
Vessels

Law of the flag (or in some cases,


place of registry)

Other means

Law of the depot (storage place for


supplies or resting place)

2
Things in transitu (these things
have a changing status because
they move)
Loss, destruction, deterioration

Law of the destination (Article.


1753, CC)

Validity & effect of the seizure of the


goods

Locus regit actum (where seized)


because said place is their
temporary situs

Disposition or alienage of the goods

Lex loci volutantis or lex loci


intentionis because here there is a
contract

FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

INTangIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY (CHOSES


IN ACTION)

Recovery of debts or involuntary


assignment of debts (garnishment)

Where debtor may be effectively


served with summons (usually the
domicile)

Voluntary assignment of debts

Lex loci voluntatis or lex loci


intentionis (proper law of the
contract)

Other Theories:
1. National law of the debtor or creditor
2. Domicile of the debtor or creditor

3.
4.

Lex loci celebrationis


Lex loci solutionis

3
Taxation of debts

Domicile of creditor

Administration of debts

Lex situs of assets of the debtor (for


these assets can be held liable for
the debts)

Negotiability or non-negotiability of
an instrument

The right embodied in the


instrument (for example, in the case
of a Swedish bill of exchange,
Swedish law determines its
negotiability)

Validity of transfer, delivery or


negotiation of the instrument

In general, situs of the instrument at


the time of transfer, delivery or
negotiation

Effect on a corporation of the sale of


corporate shares

Law of the place incorporation

Effect between the parties of the


sale of corporate shares

Lex loci voluntatis or lex loci


intentionis (proper law of the
contract) for this is really a
contract; usually this is the place
where the certificate is delivered)

Taxation on the dividends of


corporate shares

Law of the place of incorporation

Taxation on the income from the sale


of corporate shares

Law of the place where the sale was


consummated

Franchises

Law of the place that granted them

Goodwill of the business & taxation


thereto

Law of the place where the business


is carried on

Patents, copyrights, trademarks,


trade names

In the absence of a treaty, they are


protected only by the state that
granted themNOTE: foreigners may
sue for infringement of trademarks
and trade names in the RP ONLY IF
Filipinos are granted reciprocal
concessions in the state of the
foreigners

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Wills, Succession & Administration of Conflict Rules


FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Extrinsic Validity of Wills

Made by an alien abroad

Lex nationalii OR lex domicilii OR RP


law (Article 816, CC), OR lex loci
celebrationis (Article 17(1))

Made by a Filipino abroad

Lex nationalii OR lex loci


celebrationis (Article 815)

Made by an alien in the RP

Lex nationalii OR lex loci


celebrationis (Article 817)

FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Extrinsic Validity of Joint Wills (made in the


same instrument)

1
Made by Filipinos abroad

Lex nationalii (void, even if valid


where made) (Article 819)

Made by aliens abroad

Valid if valid according to lex


domicilii or lex loci
celebrationis (Article 819)

Made by aliens in the RP

Lex loci celebrationis therefore void


even if apparently allowed by Article
817 because the prohibition on joint
wills is a clear expression of public
policy

Intrinsic Validity of Wills

Lex nationalii of the deceased


regardless of the LOCATION &
NATURE of the property (Article 16
(2))

Capacity to Succeed

Lex nationalii of the deceased not


of the heir (Article 1039)

Revocation of Wills

1
If done in the RP

Lex loci actus (of the revocation)


(Article. 829)

If done OUTSIDE the RP

1.

By a NON-DOMICILIARY

Lex loci celebrationis (of the making


of the will, NOT revocation), OR lex
domicilii (Article 829)

1.

By a DOMICILIARY of the RP

Lex domicilii (RP law) OR lex loci


actus (of the revocation) (Article 17)

2
Probate of Wills Made Abroad

If not yet probated abroad

Lex fori of the RP applies as to the


procedural aspects, i.e., the will must
be fully probated here & due
execution must be shown

If already probated abroad

Lex fori of the RP again applies as to


the procedural aspects; must also be
probated here, but instead of proving
due execution, generally it is enough
to ask for the enforcement here of
the foreign judgment on the probate
abroad

2
Executors and Administrators

Where appointed

Place where domiciled at death or


incase of non-domiciliary, where
assets are found

Powers

Co-extensive with the qualifying of


the appointing court powers may
only be exercised within the
territorial jurisdiction of the court
concernedNOTE: these rules also
apply to principal, domiciliary, or
ancillary administrators & receivers
even in non-successive cases

Rules on Obligation and Contracts


FACTUAL SITUATION
Formal or Extrinsic Validity

POINT OF CONTACT
Lex loci celebrationis (Article 17 {1})

Exceptions
1.

1.

Alienation & encumbrance of


property
Consular contracts

Capacity of Contracting Parties

Lex situs (Article 16 [1])


Law of the RP (if made in RP
consulates)
National law (Article 15) without
prejudice to the case of Insular
Government v Frank 13 P 236, where

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the SC adhered to the theory of lex


loci celebrationis
Exception
Alienation & encumbrance of
property
Intrinsic validity (including interpretation
of the instruments, and amt. of damages
for breach)

Lex situs (Article 16 {1})


Proper law of the contract lex
contractus (in the broad sense),
meaning the lex voluntatis orlex loci
intentionis

Other Theories are:


1. Lex loci celebrationis (defect: this makes possible the evasion of the national
law)
2. Lex nationalii (defect: this may impede commercial transactions)
3. Lex loci solutionis (law of the place of performance) (defect: there may be
several places of performance
4. Prof Minors solution:
5. Perfection lex loci celebrationis
6. Cause or consideration lex loci considerations
7. Performance lex loci solutionis (defect: this theory combines the defect of
the others)

Rules on Torts
FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Liability & damages for torts in


generalNOTE: Thelocus delicti (place of
commission of torts) is faced by the
problem of characterization. In civil law
countries, the locus delicti is generally
where the act began; in common law
countries, it is where the act first
became effective

Lex loci delicti (law of the place where


the delict was committed)NOTE:
liability for foreign torts may be
enforced in the RP if:
1. The tort is not penal in character
2. If the enforcement of the
tortious liability wont contravene
our public policy
3. If our judicial machinery is
adequate for such enforcement

Rules on Crimes
FACTUAL SITUATION
Essential elements of a crime and
penalties

POINT OF CONTACT
Generally where committed (locus
regit actum)

Theories as to what court has jurisdiction:


1. Territoriality theory where the crime was committed
2. Nationality theory country which the criminal is citizen or a subject
3. Real theory any state whose penal code has been violated has jurisdiction,
where the crime was committed inside or outside its territory
4. Protective theory any state whose national interests may be jeopardized

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has jurisdiction so that it may protect itself


5. Cosmopolitan or universality theory state where the criminal is found or
which has his custody has jurisdiction
6. Passive personality theory the state of which the victim is a citizen or
subject has jurisdiction

NOTE: In the RP, we follow the territoriality theory in general; exception: Article
2, RPC, stresses the protective theory
The locus delicti of certain crimes

Frustrated an consummated,
homicide, murder, infanticide &
parricide

Where the victim was injured (not


where the aggressor wielded his
weapon)

Attempted homicide, etc.

Where the intended victim was (not


where the aggressor was situated)
so long as the weapon or the bullet
either touched him or fell inside the
territory where he was

Bigamy

Where the illegal marriage was


performed

Theft & robbery

Where the property was unlawfully


taken from the victim (not the place
to which the criminal went after the
commission of the crime)

Estafa or swindling thru false


representation

Where the object of the crime was


received (not where the false
representations were made)

Conspiracy to commit treason,


rebellion, or seditionNOTE: Other
conspiracies are NOT penalized by
our laws

Where the conspiracy was formed


(not where the overt act of treason,
rebellion or sedition was committed)

Libel

Where published or circulated

Continuing crime

Any place where the offense begins,


exists or continues

Complex crime

Any place where any of the essential


elements of the crime took place

Rules on Juridical Persons


FACTUAL SITUATION

POINT OF CONTACT

Corporations
Powers and liabilities

General rule: the law of the place of

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incorporationEXCEPTIONS:
1. For constitutional purposes
even of the corporation was
incorporated in the RP, it is nor
deemed a Filipino corporation
& therefore cant acquire land,
exploit our natural resources, 7
operate public utilities unless
60% of capital if Filipino owned
2. For wartime purposes we
pierce the corporation veil & go
to the nationality of the
controlling stockholders to
determine if the corporation is
an enemy (CONTROL TEST)
Formation of the corporation
(requisites); kind of stocks, transfer
of stocks to bind the corporation,
issuance, amount & legality &
dividends, powers & duties of
members, stockholders and officers

Law of the place of incorporation

Validity of corporate acts & contracts


(including ultra vires acts)

Law of the place of incorporation &


law of the place of performance (the
act or contract must be authorized
by BOTH laws)

Right to sue & amenability to court


processes & suits against it

Lex fori

Manner & effect of dissolution

Law of the place of incorporation


provided that the public policy of the
forum is not militated against

Domicile

If not fixed by the law creating or


recognizing the corporation or by any
other provision the domicile is
where it is legal representation is
established or where it exercises its
principal functions (Article. 15)

Receivers (appointment & powers)

Principal receiver is appointed by the


courts of the state of incorporation;
ancillary receivers, by the courts of
any state where the corporation has
assets (authority is CO-EXTENSIVE)
w/ the authority of the appointing
court

NOTE: Theories on the personal and/or governing law of corporations:


1. Law of the place of incorporation (this is generally the RP rule)
2. Law of the place or center of management (center for administration or
siege social) (center office principle)
3. Law of the place of exploitation (exploitation centre or siege d exploitation)
Partnerships
The existence or non-existence of
legal personality of the firm; the
capacity to contract; liability of the

The personal law of the partnership,


i.e., the law of the place where it was
created (Article 15 of the Code of

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firm & the partners to 3rd persons

Commerce) (Subject to the


exceptions given above as in the
case of corps.)

Creation of branches in the RP;


validity & effect of the branches
commercial transaction; & the
jurisdiction of the court

RP law (law of the place where


branches were created) (Article 15,
Code of Commerce)

Dissolution, winding up, &


termination of branches in the RP

RP law (Article 15, Code of


Commerce)

Domicile

If not fixed by the law creating or


recognizing the partnership or by
any other provision the domicile is
where it is legal representation is
established or where it exercises its
principal functions (Article. 15)

Receivers

RP law insofar as the assets in the RP


are concerned can be exercised as
such only in the RP

Foundations (combination of capital


independent of individuals, usually not for
profit)

Personal law of the foundation (place


of principal center of administration)

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