Question IV, Civil Law, 2017 Bar Exam

(a) Distinguish antichresis from usufruct? (3%)

(b) Distinguish commodatum from mutuum. (3%)

Suggested Answer:

(a) By the contract of antichresis the creditor acquires the right to receive the fruits of an immovable of his debtor, with the obligation to apply them to the payment of the interest, if owing, and thereafter to the principal of his credit.

Usufruct gives a right to enjoy the property of another with the obligation of preserving its form and substance, unless the title constituting it or the law otherwise provides.

NB: The topic on antichresis is not in the Bar Exam Syllabus for Civil Law.

(b) By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another, either something not consumable so that the latter may use the same for a certain time and return it, in which case the contract is called a commodatum.

By the contract of loan, one of the parties delivers to another money or other consumable thing, upon the condition that the same amount of the same kind and quality shall be paid, in which case the contract is simply called a loan or mutuum.
...