Extension of Physical Closure of Courts
On April 10, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued Administrative Circular No. 21-2021, extending the physical closure of all courts in the National Capital Judicial Region and surrounding provinces until April 18, 2021, due to rising COVID-19 cases. During this period, courts will operate primarily through videoconferencing for hearings, allowing judges to conduct remote sessions without prior approval. The filing and service of pleadings and motions are suspended and will resume seven days after the courts reopen. Essential judicial offices will maintain limited staff to handle urgent matters.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 21-2021
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Administrative Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
April 10, 2021
SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 21-2021
| TO | : | All Concerned Justices, Judges, Court Personnel, and Court Users |
| RE | : | Extension of Physical Closure of Courts |
Considering the unabated rise of COVID-19 cases, the requests of the judges and court personnel, and upon the concurrence of the members of the Court en banc, ALL the courts and judicial offices in the National Capital Judicial Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal (NCJR+) shall remain physically closed until 18 April 2021. They may be reached through their hotlines and email addresses as posted in the Supreme Court website.
The courts in these areas shall continue to operate through videoconferencing as far as practicable. Judges may conduct fully remote videoconferencing hearings on pending cases and other matters, whether urgent or not, regardless of their physical location and without prior permission from the Office of the Court Administrator.
The time for filing and service of pleadings and motions during this period is SUSPENDED and shall resume seven (7) calendar days counted from the first day of physical reopening of the relevant court.
The essential judicial offices shall maintain the necessary skeleton staff to attend to all URGENT matters.
(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice
Cite This Law
Extension of Physical Closure of Courts, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 21-2021, Apr 10, 2021 (Philippines)
Extension of Physical Closure of Courts, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 21-2021 (Phil. 2021)
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