The Conjugal Partnership of the · G.R. 173188

Petitioner: The Conjugal Partnership of the Spouses Vicente Cadavedo
Respondent: Victorino (Vic) T. Lacaya
Citation: G.R. No. 173188
Court: Supreme Court
Division: Second Division
Ponente: Brion, J.
Decided: January 15, 2014

Summary

The Supreme Court resolved a decades-long dispute over attorney's fees between the heirs of homestead grantees and their former lawyer. Originally agreeing to a P2,000.00 contingent fee in writing, the lawyer later claimed one-half of a 230,765-square meter lot after successful litigation. The Court declared this arrangement void as champertous, excessive, and violating legal ethics rules prohibiting lawyers from acquiring interests in litigation property. The written agreement prevailed over the alleged oral agreement. Applying quantum meruit principles, the Court awarded the lawyer 2 hectares plus previously received fruits as reasonable compensation for 19 years of legal services across multiple cases, ordering return of the remainder to the client's heirs.

Statutes applied

Civil Code, Art. 1491

Related cases

Other Philippine cases on the same provisions and issues.

Spouses Delfin O. Tumibay v. Spouses Melvin A. Lopez G.R. No. 171692
Rustico Mcgurk Baldoz v. Marlene D. Pecson G.R. No. 240232
Heirs of Manuel Uy Ek Liong v. Mauricia Meer Castillo G.R. No. 176425
Heirs of Ignacia Ledesma Vda. de Natividad v. Heirs of Julio Ledesma G.R. No. 247709
Spouses Cipriano Pamplona v. Spouses Lilia I. Cueto G.R. No. 204735
Joey R. Peña v. Jesus Delos Santos G.R. No. 202223
Spouses Reynaldo v. Atty. Rey Ferdinand Garay G.R. No. 179914
Leonardo S. Umale v. Atty. Alfredo Villamor, Jr. G.R. No. 171634

By the Intellegal Editorial Board · January 15, 2014

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