Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts
The OCA Circular No. 69-2022, issued on March 25, 2022, announces the approval of the "Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts," effective April 11, 2022. These rules apply only to cases filed after this date, while pending cases will continue to be adjudicated under the regulations in place at the time of their filing. The circular also states that any previous directives from the Office of the Court Administrator that conflict with this new rule are hereby revoked. The circular serves as a guideline for compliance by all first and second level courts.
March 25, 2022
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 69-2022
| TO | : | All First and Second Level Courts |
| SUBJECT | : | Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts |
In accordance with the 01 March 2022 Resolution in A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC, the Court En BancRESOLVED to APPROVE the "Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts," the full text of which is appended herewith as Annex "A" for reference.
Particular attention should be given to the following effectivity provision of the Rules, to quote:
RULE V
EFFECTIVITY
The Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts shall take effect on 11 April 2022 and shall prospectively apply only to cases filed from the said date of effectivity. Those pending cases covered by these Rules, which are currently before the second and first level courts, shall remain with and be decided by those same courts based on the rules applicable at the time those cases were filed.
Any prior issuance from the Office of the Court Administrator on this matter which is contrary to the foregoing is hereby superseded.
For information, guidance, and strict compliance.
(SGD.) RAUL BAUTISTA VILLANUEVACourt Administrator
ANNEX A
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC