Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021
Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021 outlines work arrangements for courts in the Philippines during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from May 3 to May 14, 2021. All first and second level courts, as well as appellate collegiate courts in areas under MECQ, will remain physically closed but can be reached via hotlines and email. Courts will operate remotely through videoconferencing to avoid delays in case processing, with judges conducting hearings without prior permission. Filing and service of pleadings are suspended until seven days after the courts reopen. Courts in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) will operate with a minimum workforce.
Quick Answers
- What is Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021 about?
- Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021 outlines work arrangements for courts in the Philippines during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) from May 3 to May 14, 2021. All first and second level courts, as well as appellate collegiate courts in areas under MECQ, will remain physically closed but can be reached via hotlines and email. Courts will operate remotely through videoconferencing to avoid delays in case processing, with judges conducting hearings without prior permission. Filing and service of pleadings are suspended until seven days after the courts reopen. Courts in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) will operate with a minimum workforce.
- What type of law is Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021?
- Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021 (Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021) is a Philippine Supreme Court Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021 enacted?
- Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021 (Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021) was enacted on Apr 30, 2021.
- What is the citation for Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021?
- Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021, Apr 30, 2021 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Administrative Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
April 30, 2021
SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 29-2021
| TO | : | All Justices, Judges, Court Personnel of the First and Second Level Courts, and Appellate Collegiate Courts, and Court Users |
| RE | : | Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021 |
Considering that the National Capital Region, the provinces of Abra, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Quirino, and Rizal, and Santiago City, Isabela, continue to be under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until 14 May 2021, ALL first and second level courts, and appellate collegiate courts, and their judicial offices in the said areas shall continue to be physically closed until 14 May 2021.
The said courts and judicial offices in other areas under localized Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and MECQ shall likewise be physically closed for the duration of such ECQ or MECQ.
All the physically closed courts and judicial offices in areas under ECQ and MECQ may be reached through their respective hotlines and email addresses as posted in the Supreme Court website.
These courts in ECQ and MECQ areas shall continue to operate during this period through fully remote videoconferencing, which must be maximized so as not to delay the trial of cases and court processes. Judges are to conduct fully remote videoconferencing hearings on pending cases and all 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 in these areas is SUSPENDED and shall resume after seven (7) calendar days counted from the first day of the physical reopening of the relevant court.
The essential judicial offices shall maintain the necessary skeleton staff to enable them to address all urgent matters and concerns.
The courts and judicial offices in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) shall be physically opened during this period with a workforce of at least twenty-five percent (25%) to be determined by the Executive Justices and the Presiding Judges using their sound discretion with respect to their courts, and the Executive Justices and Executive Judges with respect to the judicial offices. Justices and Judges may conduct videoconferencing from home, provided they will be within their respective judicial territorial region, and with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator with respect to Judges of the first and second level courts.
(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice
Cite This Law
Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021, Apr 30, 2021 (Philippines)
Work Arrangements in Courts on 3-14 May 2021, Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 29-2021 (Phil. 2021)
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