CONFLICT OF LAWS

(Coquia Pangalangan)

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
I. Scope of Conflict of Laws: Nature, Definition and Importance
A. Diversity of Laws, Customs and Practices
Hilton v. Guyot 159 U.S. 113 (1967)
B. Definition
C. Object, Function and Scope

II. A Brief History and Development of Conflict of Laws
A. Roman Law Origin
B. Modern Developments

III. Sources of Conflict of Laws
A. Codes and Statutes
B. Treaties and International Conventions
C. Treatises, Commentaries and Studies of Learned Societies
D. Judicial Decisions
PART TWO: JURISDICTION AND CHOICE OF LAW
IV. Jurisdiction
A. Basis of Exercise of Judicial Jurisdiction
1. Jurisdiction Over the Person
William Gemperle v. Helen Schenker 19 SCRA 45 (1967)
2. Jurisdiction Over the Property
Pennoyer v. Neff 95 U.S. 714 (1878)
International Shoe Co. v. Washington 326 U.S. 310 (1945)
Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank and Trust Co. Trustee, et
al. 399 US 306 ( 1950)
Shaffer v. Heitner 433 U.S. 186 (1977)
3. Jurisdiction Over the Subject Matter
Idonah Perkins v. Roxas 72 Phil 514 (1941)
B. Ways of Dealing with a Conflicts Problem
1. Dismiss the Case
Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens
Heine v. New York Insurance Company 42 F2d 426 (1940)
In Re: Union Carbide 634 F. Supp. 842 ( SDNY1986)
Wing on Company vs. Syyap 64 O.G. 8311 (1967)
2. Assume Jurisdiction
Fleumer v. Hix 54 Phil 610 (1930)
Philippine Trust Co. v. Bohanan 106 Phil 997 (1960)


V. Choice of Law
A. The Correlation Between Jurisdiction and Choice of Law
B. Approaches of Choice of Law
1. Traditional Approaches
Gray v Gray 87 N.H. 82, 174 A.H. 508 (1934)
Alabama Great Southern R.R. Co. V. Carroll 97 Ala. 126, 11 So. 803
2. Modern Approaches
Auten v Auten 308 N.Y. 155, 124 N.E. 2d 99 (1954)
Haag v Barnes 9 N.Y. 2d 554, 175 N.E. 2d 441, 216 N.Y.S. 2d 65
(1961)
Babcock v Jackson 12 N.Y. 2d 473, 240 N.Y.S. 2d 743, 191 N.E. 2d
279 (1963)

VI. The Problem of Characterization
A. Characterization and the Single- Aspect Method
1. Subject-Matter Characterization
Gibbs v Govt of Pi 59 Phil 293 (1993)
2. Substance- Procedure Dichotomy
Grant v Mcauliffe 41 Cal. 2d 859 (1953)
Cadalin v POEA Administrator 238 SCRA 721 (1994)
B. Depecage
Haumschild v Continental Casualty 7 Wis. 2d 130, 95 N.W. 2d 814
(1959)

VII. The Problem of Renvoi
A. Definition
B. Various ways of Dealing with the Problem of Renvoi
Aznar vs Garcia 117 Phil. 106, 7 SCRA 95 (1963)
Annesley , Davidson v Annesley 95 LJ Ch. 404 (1926)
C. Usefulness of Renvoi
University of Chicago v Dater 277 Mich. 653, 270 N.W. 175 (1936)
PFAU v Trent Aluminum Co. 55 NJ 511 (1970)
Bellis v Bellis 20 SCRA 359 (1968)

VIII. Notice and Proof of Foreign Law
A. Extent of Judicial Notice
B. Proof of Foreign Law
Philippine Commercial and Industrial Bank v Escolin 56 SCRA 266
(1974)
In Re Estate of Johnson 39 Phil 156 (1918)
Walton v Arabian American Oil Co. 233 F. 2
nd
. F4 (1956)
Leary v Gledhill 8 N.J. 260, 84 A. 2d 725 (1951)
Zalamea v CA 228 SCRA 27 (1993)
Miciano v Brimo 50 Phil 867 (1924)
Suntay v Suntay 95 Phil 500 (1952)
Collector of Internal Revenue v Fisher 1 SCRA 93 (1961)
Board of Commissioners (CID ) v Dela Rosa 197 SCRA 858 (1991)
C. Exceptions to the Application of Foreign Law
1. The Foreign Law is contrary to an important public policy of the Forum
Pakistan International Airlines Corp. v Ople 190 SCRA 90 (1990)
2. The Foreign Law is Procedural in Nature
3. Issue are Related to Property (Lex Situs)
4. The Issue involved in the Enforcement of Foreign Claim is Fiscal or
Administrative
5. The Foreign Law or Judgment is Contrary to Good Morals (Contra Bonos
Mores)
6. The Application of Foreign Law will work undeniable injustice to the Citizen
of the Forum
7. The Foreign Law is penal in Character
8. The application of the Foreign Law might endanger the vital interest of the
State
PART THREE: PERSONAL LAW
IX. Nationality
A. Importance of a Personal Law
B. Determination of Nationality
1. Natural-Born Citizens
Talaroc v Uy 92 Phil. 52 (1952)
Co v Electoral Tribunal of the House of Representatives 199 SCRA
692 (1991)
2. Citizens by Naturalization
Yu Kian Chie v Republic 13 SCRA 282 (1965)
C. Procedure for Naturalization
Vivo v Cloribel 25 SCRA 616 (1968)
Moy Ya Lim Yao v Commission of Immigration 41 SCRA 292 (1971)
D. Loss of Philippine Citizenship
Frivaldo v Comelec 174 SCRA 245 (1989)
Frivaldo v Commission on Elections 257 SCRA 727 (1996)
Labo, Jr. v Comelec 176 SCRA 1 (1989)
Aznar v Comelec 185 SCRA 703 (1990)
Republic v Li Yao 214 SCRA 748 (1992)
E. Problems in Applying the Nationality Principle
1. Dual or Multiple Citizenship
Nottebohm Case 155 I.C.J. Rep. 4 (1955)
Oh Hek How v Republic 29 SCRA 94 (1969)
2. Statelessness
Kookooritchkin v Solicitor General 81 Phil. 435 (1948)

X. Domicile
A. Definition
Caasi v CA 191 SCRA 229 (1990)
Uytengsu v Republic 95 Phil. 890 (1954)
B. Merits and Demerits of Domicile
C. General Rules on Domicile
Romualdez- Marcos v Comelec 248 SCRA 300 (1995)
Ujano v Republic 17 SCRA 147 (1966)
In Re Dorrances Estate 39 Pa. 303 (1932)
D. Kinds of Domicile
Velilla v Posadas 62 Phil. 624 (1935)
White v Tennant 8 S.E. 596 (1888)
Caraballo v Republic 4 SCRA 1055 (1962)
Go Chen and Go Lek v Collector of Customs of Cebu 56 Phil. 550
(1932)
De la Vina vv Villareal and Geopano 41 Phil. 13 (1920)

XI. Principles on Personal Status and Capacity
A. Definition
Recto v Harden 100 Phil 427 (1959)
B. Legislative Jurisdiction Distinguished from Judicial Jurisdiction
Barnuevo v Fuster 29 Phil 606 (1913)
C. Beginning and End of Personality
D. Absence
E. Name
F. Age of Majority
G. Capacity
Insular Govt v Frank 13 Phil 236 (1909)
PART FOUR: CHOICE OF LAW PROBLEMS
XII. Choice-of-Law in Family Relations
A. Marriage
1. Philippine Policy on Marriage and the Family
2. Extrinsic Validity of Marriage
Adong v Cheong Seng Gee 43 Phil 43 (1922)
People v Mora Dumpo 62 Phil. 246 (1935)
Wong Woo Yu v Vivo 13 SCRA 552 (1965)
Apt v Apt (1947) P 127
3. Intrinsic Validity of Marriage
Sottomayor v De Barros 47 L.J.P. 23 L.R. 3 P.D. (1877)
In Re Mays Estate 185 N.Y.S 284 (1920)
4. Effects of Marriage
Personal Relations Between the Spouses
Property Relations of Spouses
B. Divorce and Separation
1. Divorce Decrees Obtained by Filipinos
Tenchavez v Escano 15 SCRA 355 (1965)
Van Dorn v Romillo 139 SCRA 139 (1985)
Pilapil v Ibay-Somera 174 SCRA 653 (1989)
Quita v CA 300 SCRA 406 (1998)
2. Validity of Foreign Divorce Between Foreigners
C. Annulment and Declaration of Nullity
D. Parental Relations
1. Determination of Legitimacy of a Child
2. Common Law Principles on Legitimacy
3. Parental Authority Over the Child
E. Adoption
Republic of the Philippines v CA 227 SCRA 401 (1993)
Uggi Lindamand Therkelsen v Republic 12 SCRA 400 (1964)
Ng Hian v Collector of Customs 34 Phil. 248 (1916)

XIII. Choice of Law in Property
A. The Controlling Law
B. Capacity to Transfer or Acquire Property
Llantino v Co Liong Chong 188 SCRA 592 (1990)
Cheesman v Intermediate Appellate Court 193 SCRA 93 (1991)
C. Extrinsic and Intrinsic Validity of Conveyances
D. Exceptions to Lex Situs Rule
Liljedahl v Glassgow 190 Iowa 827, 187 NW 870 (1921)
E. Situs of Certain Properties
1. Situs of Personal Property for Tax Purposes
Asiatic Petroleum v Co Quico 69 Phil. 433 (1940)
2. Situs of Money
3. Situs of Debts
Harris v Balk 198 U.S. 215, 25 S. Ct. 625, 49 L. Ed. 1023
4. Situs of Corporate Shares of Stocks
Collector of Internal Revenue v Anglo California National Bank 106
Phil. 903 (1960)
F. Patents, Trademarks, Trade Name and Copyright
Philips Export B.V. v CA 206 SCRA 457 (1992)
Emerald Garment Manufacturing Corp. v CA 251 SCRA 600 (1995)

XIV. Choice of Law in Contracts
A. Contracts Involving a Foreign Element
B. Extrinsic Validity of Contracts
C. Intrinsic Validity of Contracts
1. Lex Loci Contractus
2. Lex Loci Solutionis
Macmillan and Bloedel v T.H. Valderama and Sons 61 O.G. 1696
(1964)
3. Lex Loci Intentionis
D. Capacity to Enter into Contracts
E. Choice of Law Issues in Conflicts Contracts Cases
1. Choice of Forum Clause
Compagnie de Commerce v Hamburg Amerika 36 Phil. 590 (1917)
King Mau v Sycip 94 Phil 784 (1954)
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bangking Corp. v Sherman 176 SCRA
331 (1980)
2. Contracts with Arbitration Clause
Puromines Inc. CA 220 SCRA 281 (1993)
The Bremen, Et.al v Zapata Off-shore Company
3. Adhesion Contracts
Pan Am World Airways v Rapadas 209 SCRA 67 (1992)
Philippine Airlines v CA 255 SCRA 48 (1996)
American President Lines,LTD. V Klepper 110 Phil. 243 (1960)
Lopez v Pan Am 16 SCRA 431 (1965)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines v CA 65 SCRA 237 (1975)
Santos III v Northwest Orient Airlines 210 SCRA 256 (1992)
4. Special Contracts
F. The Applicable Law in the Absence of an Effective Choice
G. Limitation to Choice of Law

XV. Choice of Law in Wills, Succession and Administration of Estates
A. Extrinsic Validity of Wills
In Re Estate of Johnson 39 Phil 156 (1918)
Babcock Templeton v Rider Babcock 52 Phil. 130 (1928)
Cayetano v Leonidas 129 SCRA 552 (1984)
B. Intrinsic Validity of Wills
C. Interpretation of Wills
D. Revocation
E. Probate
Suntay v Suntay 95 Phil 500 (1954)
Vda. De Perez v Tolete 232 SCRA 722 (1994)
F. Administration of Estates
Tayag v Benguet Consolidated Inc. 26 SCRA 242 (1968)
G. Trusts

XVI. Choice of Law in Torts and Crimes
A. Policies Behind Conflicts Tort Law
B. Lex Loci Delicti Commissi
Loucks v Stardards Oil Co. 224 N.Y. 99; N.E. 198 (1913)
Saudi Arabian Airlines v CA 297 SCRA 469 (1998)
C. Modern Theories on Foreign Tort Liability
1. The Most Significant Relationship
2. Interest Analysis
3. Cavers Principle of Preference
Schmidt v Driscoll Hotel 249 Minn. 376, N.W. 2d 365 (1957)
D. Foreign Tort Claims
1. Conditions for the Enforcement of Tort Claims
2. Products Liability of the Foreign Manufacturer
Asahi Metal Industry Co. v Superior Court of California 480 U.S. 102
(1987)
Worldwide Volkswagen Corp. v Charles Woodson 444 U.S. 286; 62
L. Ed. 2d 490 (1980)
3. The Alien Tort Act
Hilao v Estate of Ferdinand Marcos ( No. 95-15779 O.C. No. MDL -
0084, 1996)
Filartiga v Pena-Irala 639 Fed. 2d 876 (1980)
Guinto v Marcos 654 F. Supp. 276 ( S.D. Cal. 1986)
4. Philippine Rule on Foreign Torts
Time Inc. v Reyes Et. Al. 39 SCRA 303 (1971)
E. Distinguishing Between Torts and Crimes
F. Lex Loci Delicti
Liang (Huefeng) v People of the Philippines GR. No. 125865 (2000)
U.S. v Fowler 1 Phil 614
People v Wong Cheng 46 Phil 729 (1922)
U.S. Look Chaw 18 Phil 573 (1910)

XVII. Choice of Law Affecting Corporation and Other Juridical Entities
A. Corporations
1. Personal Law of a Corporation
M.E. Gray v Insular Lumber Company 67 Phil. 139 (1939)
Bank of Augusta v Earle 38 U.S. ( 13 Pet. ) 519 (1839)
2. Exceptions to the Rule of Incorporation Test
Constitutional and Statutory Restrictions
Pedro Palting v San Jose Petroleum Inc. 18 SCRA 924 (1966)
Filipinas Compania de Seguros v Christern, Huenefeld &
Co., Inc. 89 Phil. 54 (1951)
Control Test During War
3. Domicile or Residence of Foreign Corporations
State Investment House, Inc. v Citibank, N.A. 203 SCRA 9
(1991)
4. Jurisdiction Over Foreign Corporations
5. Right of Foreign Corporation to Bring Suit
Home Insurance Company v Eastern Shipping Lines 123
SCRA 424 (1983)
Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. v Cebu Stevedoring Co. Inc.
17 SCRA 1037 (1966)
6. Exception to the License Requirement
Isolated Transactions
Eastboard Navigation Ltd. V Juan Ysmael and Company,
Inc. 102 Phil. 1 (1957)
Action to Protect Trademark, Trade Name, Goodwill, Patent or for
Unfair Competition
Leviton Industries v Salvador 114 SCRA 420 (1982)

Agreements Fully Transacted Outside the Philippines
Hang Lung Bank, Ltd. V Saulog 201 SCRA 137 (1991)
Petition filed is merely a corollary Defense in a Suit against it
Philippine Columbia Enterprise Co. v. Lantin 39 SCRA 376
(1971)
7. Definition and Scope of Transacting Business
Wang laboratories, Inc. v Mendoza 156 SCRA 44 (1987)
Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Japan Air lines, Inc.
202 SCRA 450 (1991)
Merrill Lynch Futures, Inc. v CA 211 SCRA 824 (1992)
Granger Associates v Microwave Systems, Inc. 189 SCRA
631 (1990)
B. Special Corporations
1. Religious Societies and the Corporation Sole
2. Transnational Corporations
C. Partnerships
PART FIVE: FOREIGN JUDGMENTS
XVIII. Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
A. Distinction Between Recognition and Enforcement
B. Bases of Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
Godard v Gray L.R. 6 Q.B. 139 (1870)
C. Policies Underlying Recognition and Enforcement
D. Requisites for Recognition or Enforcement
1. The Foreign Judgment was rendered by a Judicial or Quasi-Judicial
Tribunal which had Jurisdiction over the parties and the case in the proper
judicial proceedings
Northwest Orient Airlines, Inc. v CA and C.F. Sharp & Company,
Inc. 241 SCRA 192 (1995)
Boudard v Tait 67 Phil 170 (1939)
Ramirez v Gmur 42 Phil 855 (1918)
Borthwick v Castro 152 SCRA 229 (1987)
2. The judgment must be valid under the laws of the court that rendered it
3. The judgment must be final and executory to constitute res judicata in
another action
Nouvion v Freeman 59 L.J. Ch. 337 ((1889)
Querubin v Querubin 87 Phil 124 (1950)
4. The State where the foreign judgment was obtained allows recognition or
enforcement of Philippine Judgments
Cowans, et. Al v Teconderoga Pulp & Paper Co. 219 N.Y.S 284
(1927)
5. The Judgment must be for a fixed sum of money
Querubin v Querubin 87 Phil 124 (1950)

6. The Foreign Judgment must not be contrary to the public policy or good
morals of the country where it is to be enforced
7. The Judgment must not have been obtained by Fraud, Collusion, Mistake
of Fact or Mistake of Law
E. Grounds for Non Recognition
F. Modern developments in Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
1. The Hague Conference of Private International Law
2. The EEC Convention of 1968
3. Uniform foreign Money judgments recognition Act
G. Procedure for Enforcement
Ingenohl v Olsen & Co. 273 U.S. 541