Legal services in the Philippines

The most good service is :;S.S.S. in Cebu.
My intervieuw for my papers was ready in 10 minutes.
Second: The immigration in Cebu city. In 1 jour amd a half  the visa is ready, without extra paying under the table.
The bad office is : L.T.O in Danao. Not friendly and quick help byaying 700 pesos  extra under the table. We vall that corruption.

Dear Wilhelm,

Why did you pay extra 700pesos and  agreed to this practise, if you know so well that it is illegal and corrupt?!

This practise of  paying  "under the table"  is not stopping when there are people like you, who give extra money, instead of reporting it to media and put the person involved in a hotseat.

Nowadays, phone camera and recording will do, to prove corruption happening and scandalizing the culprit !!! It takes two to tango. The culprit and the willing victim.  😊

I did,nt pay. I.m not stupid. But i also did,nt rapport it. I don,t like to geth a knife in my back. Danao people are criminals.

The British Embassy have a list of Lawyers, they also give you a summary of the lawyers specialisation

Maybe other embassies have their list as well

I am using a lawyer (for an annulment) that was recommended by a family friend, I won't know if the lawyer is any good until the job is complete. but so far so good. I checked on Google to see if the lawyer had a suitable background  before engaging their service

My experience with lawyers has taught me 2 things. Always use a Filipino to hire one to avoid the skin tax. And get local references, meaning word of mouth is the best way to find a decent attorney. Which means, again, using Filipinos.
A foreigner in the Philippines is almost always better off having a native intermediator when dealing with offical matters, whether private or public.

In terms of legal services here in the Philippines, I think when have problem regarding visas or other things related in your stay hee its better to inquiare those questions in knowledgeable person like officer in the particular government office. never relay in the people surrounds you speacial those fixer because they will ask money only. And Also dont be arrogant and rude to the peope ask them politely. More effort, more patient and regarding to the payment always ask the exact amount never negotiate if you think and i feel that is scam. Always read the information. Philippines is a place of adventure. Every easy to adopt the culture of the Filipinos, and Filipinos are smart in their own ways. Enjoy if you are here in the Philippines and follow the rules here. Much love.. good bless you

Hello,

In my experience legal services are adequate in the Philippines. Prices are acceptable, especially when compared to those in the United States.

My complaint is about the Philippine legal system. I have had a suit pending in a Manila court for seven years, costing close to one million pesos so far, and with nothing to show for it. The cost is primarily for attorneys and court fees, not to mention my time spent on the case, transportation costs and other expenses. All that expense to recover 1.5 million pesos!

I have no idea if the courts here are biased against foreigners, or if this is the pace of "justice" in this country. But I think it is deplorable that in the Philippines no one seems to care that a person getting a loan simply refuses to repay it and nothing happens to that person other than paying attorney fees. (The defendant need not appear in court; his/her attorney can be in attendance at the hearings.

What is more remarkable is that during my ten years in the Philippines I have never heard anyone making critical comments about the local justice system. No articles in the local newspapers, no shows on TV that I know of, no disgruntled locals' complaints, etc.

I know I am way off the "Legal Services" subject here, but I would dearly like to see more emphasis placed on the local court system, than just discussing "how good is your attorney?" People should be made aware, or be informed to become aware, of the lackadaisical approach to administering justice in this country.

I have had enough experience through Filipino family members to say this:

The reason that there is nothing written about the legal system problems is because Filipinos have given up on the hope that ANYTHING in The Philippines works. In addition, they have a saying which means "let it go, that's just the way it is" .

This applies to all people,  not just non- Filipinos. I know people who have had ongoing lawsuits for over 20 years. Even when their supreme Court makes a decision,  that decision is rendered useless as the loser can simply start the lawsuit over in a lower court.

The legal system is all about supporting lawyers and judges, not about ending disputes.

A foreigner has little chance in the legal system that is no good for Filipinos, we have been working on land titles for 10 years, maybe something will happen soon, my Captain and Counselors were in court for 5 years so they could cut down some coconut trees to make a road, usually will cost you more than it is worth

The problem I am having with my wife is that nearly all since March 31, 2015, has been applied to living expenses, because she was working home service. In June of 2016, my pension Php 60, 000 on average, has been used to open a Beauty Salon.  Finding a lawyer, other than her own, has been a difficult task.  I want to know what my status as a Canadian and married to her is.  Both feeling secure here in the Philippines and in relation to her personal property and the business.  Where do I go?