Statute
Civil Code
Article
Art. 24
Topic
Human Relations (n)
Status
In force
Book
Preliminary Title
Chapter
CHAPTER 2 Human Relations (n)
Year
1949
Cited by
Multiple Supreme Court decisions

The provision

In all contractual, property or other relations, when one of the parties is at a disadvantage on account of his moral dependence, ignorance, indigence, mental weakness, tender age or other handicap, the courts must be vigilant for his protection.

Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms

Directs courts to be especially vigilant in protecting a party who is at a disadvantage in contractual, property, or other relations because of moral dependence, ignorance, poverty, mental weakness, young age, or another handicap. It imposes a duty of judicial watchfulness to shield vulnerable parties from being taken advantage of.

An editorially maintained plain-language explanation of this provision — not legal advice.

Intellegal Wiki · How the courts apply it

In Miguel Katipunan v. Braulio Katipunan, Jr., the Supreme Court held: Affirmed with modification, holding the deed of absolute sale voidable under Articles 1330 and 1390 because the seller's consent was vitiated by fraud and undue influence given his limited education and mental condition, and ordered restitution of the property and the rentals collected, invoking Article 24's protection of disadvantaged parties.

One leading Supreme Court case applying this provision.

Cases applying this article

Related provisions in this Chapter

Civil Code, Art. 24 is found in CHAPTER 2 Human Relations (n) of Preliminary Title of the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386).

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Reviewed by the Intellegal Legal Team for currency against amending laws and Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Research aid — not legal advice. Verify the current text against the Official Gazette. Provisions may have been amended or repealed. Using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer.