Are you filing a civil case in a trial court?

Summary

The Philippine Judiciary is transitioning to electronic filing for civil cases from September 1 to December 1. During this three-month period, civil case filings must include electronic versions of hard copies. The goal is to make electronic filing the sole mode for submitting pleadings by December 1, with the exception of initiatory pleadings, which will still require hard copies. Lawyers must scan or convert pleadings to PDF, save them separately, and email them to the court’s official address with the case details. This innovation aims to improve the speed and efficiency of processing legal documents.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philippine Judiciary is transitioning to digital filing for civil cases starting from September 1 to December 1 this year.
• 😀 All civil case filings must include electronic versions of hard copies by September 1, or the court will not process them.
• 😀 The transition to electronic filing will take place over three months, with each judicial region getting certified before fully implementing it.
• 😀 By December 1, electronic filing will become the sole mode of filing civil cases, except for initiatory filings that will still require hard copies.
• 😀 To submit an electronic filing, scan or convert pleadings to PDF format, and save each pleading as a separate file.
• 😀 When submitting electronic filings, use the email address of record with the court and include the docket number and case title as the subject.
• 😀 The email should contain the required details in the body and attach the saved pleadings and annexes.
• 😀 The court's official email address should be used for submitting electronic filings, and all councils and their law firms should be included as recipients.
• 😀 The transition to digital filing aims to speed up the processing of pleadings and make the system more efficient.
• 😀 Detailed guidelines on submitting electronic copies of pleadings can be accessed on the Supreme Court website.

Q & A

What is the main change happening in the Philippine Judiciary regarding civil case filing?

The Philippine Judiciary is transitioning to electronic filing for civil cases from September 1 to December 1, 2024. During this period, all first and second-level courts nationwide will begin adopting electronic filing for civil cases.

What will happen if a civil case filing does not include an electronic version of hard copies?

If a civil case filing does not include an electronic version of the hard copies, the court will not act on the filing.

What is the purpose of the three-month transition period?

The three-month transition period (September 1 to December 1, 2024) allows each judicial region to become certified before fully implementing the electronic filing system.

When will electronic filing be mandatory for all civil case filings?

By December 1, 2024, electronic filing will be the only accepted mode of filing for civil cases, except for initiatory pleadings, which will still require hard copies.

How should legal practitioners submit their electronic filings?

Legal practitioners should scan or convert their pleadings to PDF, save each pleading in separate files, and send them via email to the court's official email address, including all annexes.

What should be included in the email when submitting an electronic filing?

The email should include the docket number and case title in the subject line, with details about the case in the body of the email, and the saved pleadings and annexes attached.

Who should be included as recipients when sending electronic filings?

The email should include all councils and their law firms as recipients, in addition to the court's official email address.

Why is the Philippine Judiciary making this shift to electronic filing?

The shift to electronic filing is intended to make the processing of pleadings faster and more efficient.

Will hard copies still be required for some filings after December 1, 2024?

Yes, initiatory pleadings will still require hard copies even after the full transition to electronic filing by December 1, 2024.

Where can one read the full text of the guidelines on electronic filing?

The full text of the guidelines can be found on the Supreme Court website.