JURISTS BAR REVIEW CENTER™

SUMMARY OF CIVIL LAW CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULES

Atty. Fretti G. Ganchoon Pre-Week Review 11 November 2015

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I. Family Relations

Issue Conflict-of-Laws Rule Legal Basis

1. Extrinsic validity of marriage

Lex loci celebrationis

Subject to certain exceptions

Art. 26(1), Family Code Exceptions: Art. 35(1), (4), (5) & (6); Arts. 36, 37 & 38

2. Intrinsic validity of marriage Lex nationalii / Lex domicilii

Art. 15, Civil Code

3. Personal relations between spouses

Art. 15, Civil Code

4. Property relations between spouses

Art. 80, Family Code

5. Grounds for annulment & declaration of nullity of marriage

Lex loci celebrationis

Subject to certain exceptions

~Art. 26(1), Family Code Exceptions: Art. 35(1), (4), (5) & (6); Arts. 36, 37 & 38, Civil Code

6. Divorce

Lex nationalii / Lex domicilii

Art. 26(2), Family Code

7. Grounds for legal separation

Art. 15, Civil Code

8. Paternity & Filiation Lex nationalii / Lex domicilii of the

father Art. 15, Civil Code

9. Legitimation Lex nationalii of the father Art. 15, Civil Code

10. Rights & duties between parents & child

Lex nationalii of the parent Art. 15, Civil Code

11. Adoption & legal effects (parental authority, legitimacy, succession)

Lex nationalii of the adopted Secs. 16-18, RA 8552

II. Property

Issue Conflict-of-Laws Rule Legal Basis

1. Extrinsic validity of transaction

Lex situs / Lex rei sitae

With exception

Art. 16(1), Civil Code Exception: Art. 16(2), Civil Code

2. Intrinsic validity of transaction

III. Contracts

Issue Conflict-of-Laws Rule Legal Basis

1. Extrinsic validity of contract Lex loci celebrationis

Lex loci contractus Art. 17(1), Civil Code

2. Capacity of parties Lex nationalii

With exception

Art. 15, Civil Code Exception: Art. 16(1), Civil Code

3. Intrinsic validity of contract Lex loci voluntatis / Lex loci intentionis Art. 1306, Civil Code

JURISTS BAR REVIEW CENTER™

SUMMARY OF CIVIL LAW CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULES

Atty. Fretti G. Ganchoon Pre-Week Review 11 November 2015

2

IV. Wills & Succession

Issue Conflict-of-Laws Rule Legal Basis

1-A. Extrinsic validity of will executed by a Filipino

In PH: Comply w/ Civil Code Abroad:

Lex nationalii, Lex loci celebrationis

With exception

Art. 17, Civil Code Arts. 815 & 17, Civil Code Exception: Art. 818, Civil Code

1-B. Extrinsic validity of will executed by an alien

In PH or abroad: Lex nationalii / Lex domicilii, Lex loci

celebrationis

Arts. 817 & 17, Civil Code

2-A. Revocation of will by a Filipino

In PH: Comply w/ Civil Code

Abroad: Lex loci actus

Lex nationalii / Lex

domicilii

Art. 829, Civil Code

Art. 17, Civil Code

2-B. Revocation of will by an alien

If domiciled in PH: Lex domicilii

Lex loci celebrationis

of the will

If not domiciled in PH: Lex domicilii

Lex loci actus

Arts. 829 & 17, Civil Code

3. Intrinsic validity of will Lex nationalii Art. 16, Civil Code

4. Intestate succession Lex nationalii Art. 16, Civil Code

5. Capacity to succeed Lex nationalii of decedent Art. 1039, Civil Code

6. Probate, Administration of estate

Lex fori Rules 77, 73-90, Revised Rules of Court

V. Partnership

Rule: Law of the country where partnership is established (Title IX, Book IV, Civil Code)

VI. Torts & Damages

Rule: Lex loci delicti commissi

Note: If the tortious conduct is a continuing one, spanning two or more States, use the “law of the

most significant relationship” (Saudi Arabian Airlines vs. CA, 297 SCRA 469)

Good Luck