Civil Code Art. 31: Human Relations (n)

Statute: Civil Code
Article: Art. 31
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

When the civil action is based on an obligation not arising from the act or omission complained of as a felony, such civil action may proceed independently of the criminal proceedings and regardless of the result of the latter.

Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms

Allows a civil case that rests on an obligation independent of the criminal act (for example, one arising from a contract or another source, not the crime itself) to proceed on its own. It need not wait for the criminal case and is unaffected by whether the accused is convicted or acquitted.

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

Cases applying this article

Silangan Textile Manufacturing Corporation v. Hon. Avelino G. Demetria G.R. No. 166719
Heirs of Pedro Tayag, Sr. v. Honorable Fernando S. Alcantara G.R. No. 50959
Josephine B. Zabarte v. Franliza "Lizette" Belarmino G.R. No. 234179
Nemesio Azucena v. Potenciano G.R. No. L-14028
Corpus v. Paje G.R. No. L-26737

Related provisions in this Chapter

Civil Code, Art. 36 Human Relations (n)
Civil Code, Art. 24 Human Relations (n)
Civil Code, Art. 22 Human Relations (n)
Civil Code, Art. 20 Human Relations (n)
Civil Code, Art. 19 Human Relations (n)

Related research

In-depth Intellegal research that analyzes this provision.

Quasi-Delict & Torts in the Philippines

Civil Code, Art. 31 is found in CHAPTER 2 Human Relations (n) of Preliminary Title of the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386).

Browse the Civil Code

Search Philippine statutes on Intellegal →

Continue your research on Intellegal

Search Philippine statutes on Intellegal →

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 Provisions may have been amended or repealed.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.