Legal, business & DTI guides, step by step

If you've been sued, you'll typically be served with a summons together with a copy of the complaint filed against you. The summons tells you that a case has been filed and gives you a limited period of time to file your response (an Answer) with the court, or risk being declared in default. The exact number of days can depend on the type of case and current court rules, so it's important to check the date on your summons and confirm your deadline right away — with the court, a lawyer, or our team.

An Answer responds to what the plaintiff has claimed and states any defenses you may have, and is filed with the same court that issued your summons. We help you organize the facts of your situation and prepare a complete, properly formatted Answer for you to file, so you don't miss your window to respond.

If you don't file a response within the time allowed, the court can enter a default judgment — meaning the other side may win the case without you ever presenting your side. If your deadline has already passed, don't assume it's too late to act; reach out to us or a lawyer right away, since options may still be available depending on your case.

Under the Katarungang Pambarangay system, many disputes between residents of the same city or municipality must first go through barangay conciliation before a case can be filed in court. If this step applies to your situation, we can help you understand where your dispute stands in that process and what to prepare next.

Court hearings can feel intimidating if you don't know what to expect. We help you understand the type of hearing scheduled, the documents you should bring, and generally how to conduct yourself in court, so you can walk in prepared rather than guessing.

The Philippine court system provides a small claims process for certain money claims, designed to be faster and simpler than a regular civil case, and generally does not require a lawyer to represent you at the hearing itself. Whether your matter qualifies depends on the type and amount of the claim — we can help you figure out whether your case may fit this process.

If a judgment has been issued against you, it's worth understanding exactly what it requires and whether any further steps — such as a motion for reconsideration or an appeal — are still available within the applicable deadlines. We can help review the judgment with you and prepare any documents needed for your next step.

If you're starting a business as a sole proprietor, registering your business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is typically one of the first steps. We help you check name availability, prepare your application, and submit your registration, so you can move on to permits and other requirements with one less thing to worry about.

Beyond DTI registration, most businesses operating in Davao City also need a barangay business clearance and a Mayor's/Business Permit from the city government, along with other supporting documents. We help you prepare and organize the paperwork these offices typically require, so your application isn't delayed by something missing.

Once your business name and local permits are in order, registering with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is generally required before you can legally issue receipts and invoices. We can help you understand what's typically needed at this stage and assist in preparing the required documents.

Different business structures — sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation — are registered with different government agencies and carry different implications for liability and taxes. We can help you understand the general differences and prepare the paperwork for the structure you choose; for advice on which structure best fits your specific situation, we can also connect you with one of our partner lawyers.

Many documents and filings can be prepared with our help without hiring a lawyer. But for matters that require legal advice, court representation, or negotiation on your behalf, working with a licensed lawyer is important. If your situation calls for that level of support, we'll let you know and can help connect you with the right person.

If your case needs legal representation, we can refer you to a licensed lawyer from our network of local, affordable partner lawyers in Davao City. Any legal representation, advice, and fees for that representation are agreed directly between you and the lawyer you choose — ClariCase is not a party to that engagement, and referring you does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ClariCase.

Before engaging any lawyer, it's reasonable to ask about their experience with cases like yours, how they charge (flat fee, per appearance, or otherwise), what the likely timeline looks like, and how they prefer to communicate. We encourage you to ask these questions of any lawyer we refer you to, so you can decide with confidence.