Court Operations Starting 23 August 2021
OCA Circular No. 114-2021, issued on August 20, 2021, directs all courts in the National Capital Region (NCR) to close physically to court users due to the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) starting August 21, 2021. Courts will continue online operations, conducting videoconferencing hearings for urgent matters such as bail applications and protection orders. The filing and service of pleadings will be suspended until seven days after the courts reopen. Essential judicial offices will maintain minimal staff for urgent concerns, and existing provisions from a prior administrative circular remain applicable for courts outside the NCR.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 114-2021
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Office of the Court Administrator Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
August 20, 2021
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 114-2021
| TO | : | All Justices of the Appellate Collegiate Courts, Judges of the Second and First Level Courts, Court Personnel Thereof, and Court Users |
| RE | : | Court Operations Starting 23 August 2021 |
Considering that the National Capital Region (NCR) has been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) beginning 21 August 2021, upon instructions of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and pursuant to Administrative Circular (AC) No. 56-2021, dated 30 July 2021, all courts in the NCR, except the Supreme Court, shall be PHYSICALLY CLOSED to court users for the duration of the MECQ. They shall continue to operate online and conduct videoconferencing hearings only for urgent incidents and cases, such as, but not limited to, applications for bail, releases due to dismissal of cases or acquittal, habeas corpus, applications for temporary protection orders for Violence Against Women and Children cases, and analogous circumstances. The said courts may be reached through their respective hotlines and email addresses as posted in the Supreme Court website.
The time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during this period is SUSPENDED and shall resume after seven (7) calendar days counted from the first day of the physical reopening of the relevant court.
The essential judicial offices in all courts shall maintain the necessary skeleton staff to attend to all URGENT matters and concerns.
The applicable provisions of AC No. 56-2021 not inconsistent herewith shall continue to remain in force for all courts and judicial offices outside the NCR until further notice.
For the guidance and compliance of all concerned.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator
Cite This Law
Court Operations Starting 23 August 2021, OCA Circular No. 114-2021, Aug 20, 2021 (Philippines)
Court Operations Starting 23 August 2021, OCA Circular No. 114-2021 (Phil. 2021)
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