What is an obligation in Article 1156?

Asked by: Noemi Haley  |  Last update: May 9, 2026
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In Article 1156 (of the Philippine Civil Code), an obligation is defined as a juridical necessity to give, to do, or not to do, meaning a legal duty that binds a person (debtor) to perform a specific act (giving something, doing something, or refraining from an act) for another person (creditor), which can be enforced in court.

What is obligation according to article 1156?

Art. 1156. An obligation is a juridical necessity to give, to do or not to do. An obligation needs to be juridical in nature in order for it to have the force of law.

What is the legal definition of obligation?

The term “obligation” means a duty to do or not to do something. In its legal sense, obligation is a civil law concept. An obligation can be created voluntarily, such as one arising from a contract, quasi-contract, or unilateral promise.

What is an obligation in real estate?

A real obligation refers to a legal duty associated with real property. It is a responsibility that corresponds to a real right, meaning that when a person exercises a right related to real estate, they have specific obligations to fulfill.

What are the key concepts in article 1156?

It is a juridical relation whereby a person (creditor) may demand another (debtor), the observance of determinative conduct (to give, to do, or not to do), and in case of breach, may demand the satisfaction from the assets of the latter.

UPDATED DISCUSSION: What is an Obligation? Obligations and Contracts General Provision. Part 1.

43 related questions found

What is the exact meaning of obligation?

Obligation means something you must do because of a law, rule, promise, or moral duty, like paying taxes or helping family, representing a binding commitment or responsibility. It signifies being bound to a certain action, whether it's a legal contract, a societal expectation, a personal promise, or a sense of gratitude, forming a duty or responsibility to act. 

What is an obligation as defined by justice JBL Reyes?

JBL Reyes Definition of obligation:

“an obligation is a juridical relation. whereby a person (called the creditor) may. demand from another (called the debtor) the. observance of a determinative conduct (the. giving, doing or not doing), and in case of.

What are examples of obligations?

Examples of obligations include legal duties (paying taxes, obeying traffic laws, child support), contractual duties (a tenant paying rent, a company delivering software), and moral/ethical duties (helping someone in need, a politician representing constituents, parents caring for children). They represent a commitment or responsibility to do or not do something, enforced by law, agreements, or conscience. 

What are the three types of obligations?

Absolute obligation involves unconditional terms, while contractual obligation stems from agreements between parties. Express obligation specifically states duties in an agreement, whereas moral obligation is based on right or wrong standards but isn't legally enforced.

What constitutes an obligation?

An obligation is a legal relationship between two or more persons. An obligation exists when: (1) an obligor (debtor) owes a performance in favor of an obligee (creditor); and (2) the performance or duty is legally enforceable.

What are the four elements of an obligation?

The essential elements of an obligation are critical to ensure its enforceability, and these elements are classified into active subject, passive subject, prestation, and juridical tie or vinculum juris.

Is an obligation mandatory?

Obligatory - I have an obligation to do it, as in I owe a debt or duty or otherwise have a need to complete x. Mandatory - I am being required to do it by the law or an authority. See: mandate. Compulsory - I am being forced (compelled) to do it, or required to under threat (of force or other dire consequences).

What happens if I break an obligation?

Common legal repercussions include: Compensatory Damages: The non-breaching party may seek compensation for financial losses caused by the breach. Consequential and Incidental Damages: If the breach leads to additional losses beyond the contract's terms, the breaching party may be held liable.

Is an obligation legally binding?

Written obligations are contracts. They legally bind two people into an agreement. Each person becomes responsible for doing their part of the contract.

What are the six 6 primary classification of obligations under the Civil Code?

Each type—pure, conditional, with a period, alternative or facultative, joint or solidary, divisible or indivisible, with a penal clause—serves to specify when, how, by whom, and to what extent the obligation must be performed.

What are the modes of breach of obligation?

Under Article 1170, every breach of an obligation – by reason of fraud, negligence, delay, or contravention – entitles the injured party to damages, except in cases where delay is justified or when performance is rendered impossible due to a fortuitous event (force majeure).

What is a legal obligation?

A term describing a moral or legal duty to perform or not perform an action that is enforced by a court of law.

What are the requisites of an obligation?

An obligation is a legal tie that binds parties such that one party is required to give, do, or not do something. It requires a debtor, a creditor, an object or prestation, and a juridical tie. Obligations can be real, requiring delivery of an object, or personal, requiring an act or omission.

What are the two obligations every?

Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents, wife and children, the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.

What is obligation in simple words?

In simple terms, an obligation is something you have to do, a duty or responsibility that binds you because of a law, promise, contract, or moral agreement, like paying taxes, showing up to work, or keeping a promise to a friend. It's a commitment to perform or refrain from a certain action. 

What are obligations in law?

An obligation is a legal bond (vinculum iuris) by which one or more parties (obligants) are bound to act or refrain from acting. An obligation thus imposes on the obligor a duty to perform, and simultaneously creates a corresponding right to demand performance by the obligee to whom performance is to be tendered.

What is simple obligation in law?

A simple obligation is a legal duty that is not subject to any conditions, terms, or specific deadlines. It is immediately due and enforceable, meaning performance can be demanded without waiting for a future event or date.

What is an obligation under article 1156?

Under Article 1156 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, an obligation is defined as a "juridical necessity to give, to do, or not to do." This means that an obligation imposes a binding legal duty on one or more persons (the obligor/s) in favor of another or others (the obligee/s).

Can a creditor refuse to accept payment?

Your creditors do not have to accept your offer of payment or freeze interest. If they continue to refuse what you are asking for, carry on making the payments you have offered anyway. Keep trying to persuade your creditors by writing to them again.

What are ex lege obligations?

There are certain obligations which arise by operation of the law. These are known as 'ex lege' obligations. A typical example of these are servitudes, wherein the law creates certain obligations.