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Law School Materials

When we asked our professor what book to use, he smirked and said: "Read all" so I complied a list of materials that will hopefully help you hurdle your first year (first semester) in law school.

First Year, First Semester
Persons and Family Relations
  1.  Persons and Family Relations by Atty. Elmer Rabuya 
    • Read this for a quick introduction to the subject. This will save you during recitations if you have not read Sta. Maria Jr.
  2.  Persons and Family Relations Law by Atty. Melencio Sta. Maria Jr.
    • Read this if you have more time. This book is very comprehensive. 
Criminal Law 1
  1. Revised Penal Code Book 1 by Justice Luis B. Reyes
    • No matter what book your professor recommends, if you want to have a strong foundation, please read Reyes.
  2. Compact Reviewer in Criminal Law by Atty. Leonor Boado
    • Please read this ONLY IF you have finished Reyes or you could use the books side-by-side. It is what it is - a reviewer - so don't expect comprehensive explanations.
Constitutional Law 1
  • Philippine Political Law by Justice Isagani Cruz 
    • Your professor might recommend Bernas or De Leon which are good books too but at the end of the day, my personal preference is Cruz. Note that for Consti 1, the book title is Philippine Political law, which is different from Constitutional Law which is Cruz' book for Consti 2.
 Statutory Construction
  • Statutory Construction by Atty. Ruben Agpalo 

First Year, Second Semester
Obligations and Contracts
  1. Civil Law Reviewer by Justice Desiderio Jurado 
    • This is a must-have not only for ObliCon but also for other Civil Law topics. You can use this as a reviewer for your quizzes. However, always counter-check Jurado's book with Tolentino's book.
  2. Commentaries and Jurisprudence on the Civil Code of the Philippines by Arturo M. Tolentino, Ph. B., D.C.L. 
    • Okay, I'll be honest. Many of my classmates preferred De Leon over this book but for someone like me who has absolutely no background in ObliCon, I would recommend Tolentino.
Criminal Law 2
  • The Revised Penal Code Book II by Justice Luis B. Reyes 
    • JLBR's book is basically THE bible of Criminal Law. However, since it only focuses on RPC, you have to look for other means to study special laws.
  • Note: Look  for Sison, et. al.'s book containing a summary of the elements. For your exam, review only these elements and you have a chance to pass.
Constitutional Law 2 and Human Rights
Legal and Judicial Ethics
  1. Legal and Judicial Ethics by Atty. Dennis B. Funa
    • For this subject, Funa's book would be the most recommended. It is easier for me to comprehend compared to Agpalo's book.
  2. Bar Reviewer in Legal and Judicial Ethics by Ernani Cruz Paño
    • Funa's book contains bar exam questions at the end of each topic but it contains no answers. Hence, the need to use this book as a guide on how to answer the questions.
 
Others
You may also opt to invest in Memory Aids from San Beda or QuAMTO from UST. However, read these materials only before your midterms or finals. These are supplements and they can never replace actual books. 

Codals
  • Revised Penal Code
  • Civil Code
  • 1987 Constitution
  • Revised Rules of Court
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