Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel
OCA Circular No. 119-04 outlines the guidelines for the service of legal documents by Philippine Foreign Service personnel. Generally, these personnel are prohibited from serving subpoenas and other legal processes in their host countries. However, exceptions allow them to serve specific documents, such as subpoenas for witnesses who are Filipino citizens residing abroad, as long as local laws permit. Such services must be coordinated through the Department of Foreign Affairs. The circular aims to facilitate legal proceedings involving Filipino citizens outside the Philippines while adhering to international protocols.
Quick Answers
- What is Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel about?
- OCA Circular No. 119-04 outlines the guidelines for the service of legal documents by Philippine Foreign Service personnel. Generally, these personnel are prohibited from serving subpoenas and other legal processes in their host countries. However, exceptions allow them to serve specific documents, such as subpoenas for witnesses who are Filipino citizens residing abroad, as long as local laws permit. Such services must be coordinated through the Department of Foreign Affairs. The circular aims to facilitate legal proceedings involving Filipino citizens outside the Philippines while adhering to international protocols.
- What type of law is OCA Circular No. 119-04?
- Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel (OCA Circular No. 119-04) is a Philippine Supreme Court Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel enacted?
- Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel (OCA Circular No. 119-04) was enacted on Sep 30, 2004.
- What is the citation for Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel?
- Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel, OCA Circular No. 119-04, Sep 30, 2004 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 119-04
- 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 30, 2004
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 119-04
| TO | : | All Judges of the Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Shari'a District Courts and Shari'a Circuit Courts |
| SUBJECT | : | Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel |
The attention of this Court has been called by the Department of Foreign Affairs that pursuant to DFA, Department Order No. 19A-95, Philippine Foreign Service personnel, as a general rule, are forbidden from servicing subpoenas, citations, complaints, or other forms of legal process in the country of their assignment in connection with cases pending in the courts of the Philippines. TSEHcA
"However, unless prohibited by local law, foreign service personnel may, upon the request of a clerk of court or proper Philippine court authorities, serve the following:
a. Subpoenas issued by a court of the Philippines commanding witness, who is a citizen of the Philippines residing in a foreign jurisdiction and who has failed or neglected to appear and give testimony in answer to letters rogatory, or who has appeared and refused to give testimony, to appear before the issuing court at a time and place designated in the subpoena.
b. Subpoenas issued by a court of the Philippines at the request of the Solicitor General or assistants acting under him, to compel the attendance of a witness, who is a citizen of the Philippines residing in a foreign jurisdiction, at the trial of a criminal case.
c. Order to show cause issued in contempt proceedings on a witness who has failed or neglected to appear in answer to a subpoena served.
d. Documents relating to fraudulent naturalization when such documents are forwarded by duly authorized officials of Philippine courts. "
In all instances, the service of the above enumerated documents should be done through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
For your information and compliance. ECaTAI
(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.Court Administrator
Cite This Law
Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel, OCA Circular No. 119-04, Sep 30, 2004 (Philippines)
Service of Writs and Other Court Processes Through the Foreign Service Personnel, OCA Circular No. 119-04 (Phil. 2004)
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