Delegated Jurisdiction of METCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and MCTCs to Hear and Determine Cadastral and Land Registration Cases
Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 06-93, issued on April 12, 1993, grants Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs), Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs), and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs) the authority to hear and decide cadastral and land registration cases involving lots valued at no more than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00). This applies to both uncontested cases and those with disputes, where the value can be determined via affidavits or tax declarations. Cases filed before the circular's effectivity but not yet tried will be assigned to the appropriate lower courts, while ongoing cases can remain in their original courts unless the parties agree to transfer them. The circular took immediate effect and was published for public awareness.
April 12, 1993
SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 06-93
| SUBJECT | : | Delegated Jurisdiction of METCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and MCTCs to Hear and Determine Cadastral and Land Registration Cases |
| TO | : | Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts |
Pursuant to Sec. 34 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 and the resolution of the Court En Banc in Adm. Matter No. 93-3-488-0 (Re: Request of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) dated March 25, 1993, the MeTCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and MCTCs are hereby authorized to hear and decide cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy or opposition, or contested lots, the value of which does not exceed Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), such value to be ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant or by agreement of the respective claimants if there are more than one, or from the corresponding tax declaration of the real property provided that:
1. Cadastral or land registration cases filed before the effectivity of this Administrative Circular but where trial had not commenced yet, shall be assigned by the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court who has jurisdiction over the same to the appropriate MeTC, MTCC, MTC, MCTC;
2. In RTCs where trial of cadastral or land registration cases had commenced, the same shall remain with the court where the case had been pending as of the time of the effectivity of this Administrative Circular. However, by agreement of the parties, the case may be transferred to the appropriate MeTC, MTCC, MTC or MCTC. aisa dc
This Administrative Circular shall take effect immediately. The Clerk of Court is directed to course its publication in a newspaper of general circulation for the information of the public.
April 12, 1993.
(SGD.) ANDRES R. NARVASAChief Justice