Remote Appearances of Parties
OCA Circular No. 158-2020 allows judges of the First and Second Level Courts in the Philippines to permit remote appearances of parties during court hearings, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and community quarantine measures. This decision, supported by Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, aims to reduce in-person attendance to minimize virus transmission. Judges can approve remote appearances without prior permission from the Office of the Court Administrator, except when presiding remotely. However, judges must carefully consider the dynamics of witness testimonies in virtual settings and exercise discretion when addressing objections to remote appearances, prioritizing justice and safety.
Quick Answers
- What is Remote Appearances of Parties about?
- OCA Circular No. 158-2020 allows judges of the First and Second Level Courts in the Philippines to permit remote appearances of parties during court hearings, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and community quarantine measures. This decision, supported by Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, aims to reduce in-person attendance to minimize virus transmission. Judges can approve remote appearances without prior permission from the Office of the Court Administrator, except when presiding remotely. However, judges must carefully consider the dynamics of witness testimonies in virtual settings and exercise discretion when addressing objections to remote appearances, prioritizing justice and safety.
- What type of law is OCA Circular No. 158-2020?
- Remote Appearances of Parties (OCA Circular No. 158-2020) is a Philippine Supreme Court Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Remote Appearances of Parties enacted?
- Remote Appearances of Parties (OCA Circular No. 158-2020) was enacted on Sep 22, 2020.
- What is the citation for Remote Appearances of Parties?
- Remote Appearances of Parties, OCA Circular No. 158-2020, Sep 22, 2020 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 158-2020
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Office of the Court Administrator Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
September 22, 2020
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 158-2020
| TO | : | All Judges of the First and Second Level Courts |
| RE | : | Remote Appearances of Parties |
Considering that the entire country remains to be in different levels of Community Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to further mitigate the transmission of the virus, there is a continuing need to minimize the number of individuals attending in-court hearings. This is manifested in the letter of the lawyers in the Office of the Solicitor General, dated 9 September 2020, requesting "that its lawyers should not be required to attend in-court hearings until the health situation of the country improves." Similar requests have been relayed by some prosecutors and law practitioners. HTcADC
Accordingly, upon approval of Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, and pursuant to par. 9, Administrative Circular 45-2020, judges of the first and second level courts, upon proper motion, may allow the parties to appear remotely, without prior permission from the Office of the Court Administrator, provided that judges shall continue to preside over hearings in-court. Prior permission from the Office of the Court Administrator is only necessary if the judge will be presiding over the hearings remotely or out of court.
Judges are likewise reminded to observe utmost caution in resolving a motion for the remote appearance of a witness to be examined, considering that they must be able to properly observe the demeanor, candor, behavior and manner of testifying of the said witness, which may be difficult to do at present in a videoconferencing hearing. Should a party object to a motion for remote appearance, the court, in the interest of justice, safety, and well-being of all concerned, shall exercise its sound discretion in resolving the same.
For the guidance and compliance of all concerned.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator
Cite This Law
Remote Appearances of Parties, OCA Circular No. 158-2020, Sep 22, 2020 (Philippines)
Remote Appearances of Parties, OCA Circular No. 158-2020 (Phil. 2020)
Related Laws
- Moratorium on the Implementation of the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing with Respect to Remote Appearance from AbroadOCA Circular No. 18-2021 • Feb 1, 2021 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Extension of the Moratorium on the Implementation of the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing with Respect to Remote Appearance from AbroadOCA Circular No. 56-2021 • May 5, 2021 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Request for Approval of the Guidelines for Sandiganbayan Remote Hearings<--!07142020-->A.M. No. 20-06-05-SB (Resolution) • Jul 14, 2020 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Reminder on the Conduct of Videoconferencing with Respect to Remote Appearance from AbroadOCA Circular No. 144-2023 • Mar 30, 2023 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Re: Proposed Guidelines on the Use of Videoconferencing Technology for the Remote Appearance or Testimony of Certain Persons Deprived of Liberty in Jails and National Penitentiaries<--!06252019-->A.M. No. 19-05-05-SC • Jun 25, 2019 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Pilot Testing of Hearings of Criminal Cases Involving Persons Deprived of Liberty through VideoconferencingSupreme Court Administrative Circular No. 37-2020 • Apr 27, 2020 • Supreme Court Issuances
Browse More Supreme Court Issuances
Explore other laws in the Supreme Court Issuances category.
View All Supreme Court IssuancesNeed Help Understanding This Law?
Ask our AI assistant to explain provisions, implications, or related laws.
Ask AI About This Law