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.
Related provisions
- Article 19 — the abuse-of-rights standard.
- Article 2176 — quasi-delict, the general fault liability (once built).
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.
Note. The text of the provision above is reproduced in full from the official enactment (Republic Act No. 386), verified against the LawPhil and ChanRobles renderings. The annotation and commentary around it are the work of Vivas & Nobles Law Office and are general legal information, not legal advice. How a provision applies to a particular situation depends on facts that only a lawyer reviewing your case can assess.