OCA Circular No. 60-07May 29, 2007Supreme Court Issuances

OCA Circular No. 60-07 outlines the revised legal fees structure under Rule 141 of the Rules of Court in the Philippines, effective July 2, 2007. It mandates that legal fees must be paid in full upon filing, with specific guidelines for payment methods based on the amount due. Payments up to P5,000 can be made in cash, while payments exceeding this amount must be made via check, with further stipulations for amounts over P50,000 requiring a manager's check. The circular also addresses the consequences of dishonored checks, including case dismissal and potential legal action against the drawer. All prior inconsistent rules and resolutions are repealed or modified accordingly.

May 29, 2007

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 60-07

TO : All Clerks of Court of the First and Second Level Courts
     
SUBJECT : Revised Upgrading of Schedule of the Legal Fees in the Supreme Court and the Lower Courts under Rule 141 of the Rules of Court

 

For your information and guidance, the Supreme Court En Banc issued a Resolution dated April 17, 2007 in A.M. No. 07-2-04-SC which Resolved to AMEND Section 1 of Rule 141 of the Rules of Court,as amended, to read to as follows: CEASaT

"SEC. 1. Payment of fees; modes and effects. — Upon the filing of the pleading or other application which initiates an action or proceeding, the fees prescribed therefor shall be paid in full, unless a staggered basis of payment is allowed by the Rules.

The legal fees may be paid in cash or through check, subject to the provisions herein stated.

The legal fees may be paid in cash when the same does not exceed P5,000.00. When the legal fees exceed P5,000.00, payment shall be in check which may be personal, company or manager's check. When the legal fees exceed P50,000.00, payment shall be in manager's check. All checks shall be crossed.

Payment of the Legal Research Fund, Victim's Compensation Fund, Cadastral Fees and other fees not accruing to the Judiciary Development fund or Special Allowance for the Judiciary shall be in cash.

Any official receipt issued for the check shall indicate the following notation: 'Payment credited only upon check being cleared'.

In case of dishonor of the check and upon receipt of such notice from the depository bank, the Clerk of Court or the accountable officer shall immediately inform in writing the court to where the case was raffled. The court shall forthwith issue an order dismissing the case, without prejudice to the filing of a case or cases against the drawer of the dishonored check.

Upon effectivity of this Resolution, all rules, resolutions, orders and circulars of this Court, which are inconsistent therewith, are repealed or modified accordingly.

This Resolution shall take effect on July 2, 2007, following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation not later than April 30, 2007."

The Resolution was published in the April 21, 2007 issue of the Manila Bulletin.

For strict compliance. EDATSC

 

(SGD.) CHRISTOPHER O. LOCKCourt Administrator