Text of the provision
Art. 20. Every person who, contrary to law, wilfully or negligently causes damage to another, shall indemnify the latter for the same.
Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.
What this article means
This is the general sanction for acts contrary to law that cause damage. Whoever — wilfully or negligently — violates a legal provision and thereby injures another must indemnify for the harm. It complements Article 19 by attaching a concrete remedy (damages) to an unlawful act, whether done intentionally or through fault.
Questions about this provision
Related provisions
- Article 19 — the abuse-of-rights standard.
- Article 2176 — quasi-delict, the general fault liability (once built).
Cases citing this article
- Social Security System vs. Debbie Ubana, G.R. No. 200114, August 24, 2015 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Alfonso T. Yuchengco vs. The Manila Chronicle Publishing Corporation, et al, G.R. No. 184315, November 28, 2011 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Spouses Nestor Cabasal and Ma. Belen Cabasal vs. BPI Family Savings Bank, Inc., G.R. No. 233846, November 18, 2020 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Sps. Oscar and Gina Gironella vs Philippine National Bank, G.R. No. 194515, September 16, 2015 — read the decision on LawPhil →
- Astroland Developers, Inc. vs. Government Service Insurance System, et al, G.R. No. 129796, September 20, 2004 — read the decision on LawPhil →
Compiled automatically from Supreme Court decisions published on LawPhil that expressly cite this article, most frequently cited first. A listing means the decision cites the provision — it is not a statement that the case is the leading authority, and it does not show whether a ruling has since been modified or abandoned. Always read the decision itself.