r/LawyersPH

Do you guys still get bar exam horror dreams?

Apparently, I still do. I woke up this morning feeling anxious but relieved that it was just a dream. 4 years into being a lawyer and I still get it. The last one was a long time ago, tho.

Nakatulog daw ako at naubusan ng oras. I have 8 more questions to answer and 5 minutes left na lang. Hahahahaha. Utang na loob. Lubayan na sana ako ng ganitong dreams. 🤣

reddit.com
u/SaucySauce1803 — 2 days ago

First hearing 6 months after oath

Hello! Need some help lang po. Any tips po kung paano mag handle ng recross-examination? I planned to observe sa court, kaso puro naman walang pasok lately. Thank you so much, Attys. Please keep safe!

reddit.com
u/Sweet_Sin_0414 — 1 day ago
▲ 20 r/LawyersPH+1 crossposts

Any accredited arbitrators/mediators out here?

Im trying to get accredited as an arbitrator and mediator. Idk if it's lucrative but Im just interested in getting that accreditation. Anyone who can share if it's actually in demand?

reddit.com
u/Forward_Pomelo5426 — 2 days ago

Can I ask the same question na tinatanong ko sa private complainant during cross?

My client was charged with Grave Coercion and Grave Oral Defamation. Last month nag start yung trial and nag cross examination ako sa private complainant (first witness ng prosecution). Then yung next nilang i present is yung last witness nila. My question is, pwede ba itanong ko ulit kay second witness yung ibang mga questions na binabato ko na kay private complainant? Thank you!

reddit.com
u/filp_pines — 3 days ago

"Never Ask a Question You don't Know the Answer to."

This is one of the first few rules I read on the textbook on cross-examinations. I don't remember anymore the author and I don't have time to search for it again. Just posting it here as "the rule" that doesn't suit my idiosyncrasies.

A while ago, I just asked whatever question I felt asking, without thinking about the consequence. I just told myself that if the answer is not favorable to my client, I still have the freedom whether to transition to another topic or make a follow-up question (to test the truthfulness of the witness' answer).

My point here is, I should have the absolute freedom on what question to ask, how to frame it, when to do it, and so on and so forth.

Thus, when I prepare for cross-examinations, I don't write full questions. I only write the topics that my desired questions would revolve around. So I can ask WHATEVER QUESTION I wanted.

In the end, this method works way, way better for me, regardless of what answer I actually elicited, whether advantageous or just a little less impactful (but not necessarily damaging).

Today, I just ended another beautiful and satisfying cross-examination, thanks to myself for basically violating the number 1 rule on cross-examinations. XD

reddit.com
u/EsquireHare — 4 days ago

Script for Presentation of Jurisdictional Requirements for Recognition of Foreign Divorce and Cancellation of Marriage Contract.

Hi Pañeros and Pañeras! I will be having a hearing for the presentation of jurisdictional requirements for Judicial Recognition of Foreign Divorce and Cancellation of Marriage Contract.

Paano po ang script or flow ng hearing dito?

Thank you.

reddit.com
u/boompowah — 4 days ago

BIR wants my client to pay Compromise & Penalty due to their own error

Hello, Panyeros! I’d like to get your thoughts on this situation.

I’m transferring a property belonging to my client from her deceased parents. We already paid all the necessary taxes to the BIR, including penalties and compromise penalties, amounting to around ₱40,000.

The return was filed and paid in June, and we were simply waiting for the eCAR to be issued. However, when we followed up yesterday, we were informed that the return had supposedly been pulled out and the computation amended.

According to the person who computed, she had made a mistake in the basis used for the original computation. Because of this, there is now an amended computation requiring us to pay another ₱40,000 on top of the deficiency as penalties including compromise penalty.

I’m not a tax practitioner, so I’d really appreciate some advice on how to proceed. I understand that if there is an actual deficiency in the estate tax, my client may have to pay the deficiency.

However, the additional penalties and compromise penalty seem unfair, considering that the original return was already filed and paid, and the need for the amended computation was due to an error on the BIR’s end.

Has anyone encountered a similar situation? Is the BIR allowed to impose additional penalties/compromise penalties under these circumstances? What would be the proper way to contest or request a reconsideration of the additional amount?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

reddit.com
u/rogrogrog99 — 7 days ago

People's cognitive bias makes them blind to how arrogant and abrasive the private prosecutors are in the impeachment case

This is an unpopular opinion, so I will relish the downvotes.

As a lawyer and citizen, I try hard not to brand myself as either a "kakampink," BBM or DDS. But I admit to lean more on the principles of one side over the other, so naturally, my algorithm exposes me mostly to the kakampink (oh how this term makes me cringe) crowd.

I shudder and shake my head when todo puri sa mga private prosecutors kesyo magaling at dekalibre daw.

I won't comment on their competence, but I find the proceedings hard to watch dahil ang daming irrelevant considerations sa personalities ng mga abogado. And I feel that people's cognitive bias make them blind to how arrogant and abrasive the private prosecutors are.

Remember that one who was speaking Waray when addressing the witness and pretended to be shocked by the defense counsel's objection. More recently, merong defense counsel na obvious naman na nagkamali sa pagsabi tungkol sa "leading/misleading questions" pero todo patol naman ung kabila. Don't get me started at that "spanking" remark by a more senior lawyer.

Their actuations give the impression na ginagamit lang nila tong impeachment para pumorma o matupad lang ang pangarap maging impeachment lawyer.

Do better, counsels! Sana maelevate ung discourse ng public to the substantive issues rather than the personality of the lawyers.

On this topic, one lawyer who stands out to me is Atty. Michael Poa. Very articulate, humble and exudes professionalism. Sana tularan sya ng lawyers of both sides.

Edit: lest this be misunderstood, this is not to praise the defense counsels. Mas concern ng post ko ung pagcelebrate sa conduct ng mga private prosecutors.

reddit.com
u/avocadothe8th — 7 days ago

BIR Filing & Payment of Taxes

Hi. I recently got my COR from BIR, as a mixed income earner (compensation and professional), graduated tax rate and non-VAT. Registered as professional since I got my notarial commission. Have yet to claim my invoice next week though.

Any tips or advice regarding filing and payment of taxes? I have to pay a withholding tax for my rental fee raw kasi by next month. I’m also confused sa books of accounts as someone na hindi accounting related ang undergrad course. Huhu (That I’m actually contemplating about hiring a bookkeeper)

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you po.

reddit.com
u/fhx_13 — 5 days ago

BIR Filing and Payment

Anyone here employed by a firm but without a contract, and whose income tax isn’t being withheld? How do you file and pay your taxes with the BIR? What do you need to file, and how do you go about the payment?

I’m sorry, I’m so lost. Wala namang ganitong application sa law school. :( Apologies for my ignorance!

reddit.com
u/NotToBeNamedKimmy — 8 days ago

Help a new lawyer out [JA Question]

Hello po! I am a new lawyer and I will be presenting a witness on my own for the first time (criminal case). Nagsubmit kami ng Judicial Affidavit and I’ve prepared a script pero I just wanted to get some insight from people here kung may mabibigay ba kayong tips for a newbie? Medyo kinakabahan din kasi ako

reddit.com
u/flimsypapergirl — 9 days ago

Breather

I need to breathe. I still have a lot to do. It's only one case but it's certiorari with temporary restraining order so there's a lot to do especially since it involves a series of convoluted, complicated transactions. I need to write three affidavits because the previous lawyer did not include certain vital documents. I'm pressured but I'm already worn out.

Meron nang writ of execution. I need to speed up but my body is already giving up. I just took a few minutes of break time before diving back to work. I've never felt this way before. Nag-eenjoy ako. Litigation is like playing a game where you need to strategize here and there. And what gives it more prestige is that, there's a lot at stake here. You're literally a professional gamer if you're a lawyer and it's fun.

That's why I can't believe this is happening to me. I suddenly want a way out!

reddit.com
u/EsquireHare — 9 days ago
▲ 24 r/LawyersPH+1 crossposts

For our fellow PH lawyers here: Have you applied to become an Electronic Notary Public?

u/longlegss — 9 days ago
▲ 159 r/LawyersPH+1 crossposts

NY Bar July 2027 🗽

Looking for fellow panyeras or future panyeras who plan to take the New York Bar on July 2027!! Para may karamay, study buddy, and hopefully kahati rin sa rent haha.

Background: I learned from some dual qualified lawyers that our JD in the Philippines already suffices for us to sit for the NY Bar and no need na to take an LLM in the US. I'm still compiling my requirements to be assessed by BOLE if I am eligible. Hopefully may kasama ako in this journey!! ❤️

reddit.com
u/SomeDistance1242 — 12 days ago

Law firm to inhouse

Sa mga galing law firm and pumunta sa inhouse, paano kayo nakapunta sa current job niyo? Ang tagal ko nang nag aapply sa mga inhouse pero wala akong narereceive na kahit interview man lang. Mahirap ba ang competition sa job market ngayon? Any tips?

reddit.com
u/Zestyclose-Yard-3795 — 11 days ago

First Court Appearance Stories

Hello panyera/os, can you share your stories noong first time niyo mag-appear? Kahit embarassing or funny pa yan haha. Magiging hugot lang para sa mga newly-passed and mga first time lang din mag-aappear.

reddit.com
u/LazyDreamer_Sleepy — 14 days ago

How to land teaching roles and how much does it pay?

Thinking of applying as a professor for undergrads, even in law schools if pwede. Pano ba mag apply sa mga colleges? Wala kasi ako makitang mga job posting for law subjects, mostly mga Gen Ed subjects nakikita ko. For law schools naman, I heard na by invitation basis. Lastly, how much ang expected pay for college law profs and law school profs?

reddit.com
u/Few_Presentation_983 — 13 days ago