Republic of the Philippines

SUPREME COURT
Manila
EN BANC
A. M. No. 08-8-7-SC February 16, 2010
(Re: RUE OF PROCE!URE FOR SMA CA"MS CASES.# - The Court Resolved, upon
the recommendation of the Technical Worin! "roup on the #mall Claims Courts Pilot Pro$ect,
to APPRO$E the %
R E # & ' ( T ) & N
*a+ Amendment of #ection ,*d+, Rule -.- of the Revised Rules of Court, /ith the
addition of the follo/in! provision as re!ards filin! fees for fre0uent filers in small
claims cases1
2or small claims cases, onl3 those fees set forth in this Rule, as amended, shall be
collected4 )f more than ten *-5+ small claims are filed b3 one part3 in the court
station /ithin the calendar 3ear, an additional filin! fee of P655455 shall be paid
for ever3 claim filed after the tenth *-5th+ claim, and an additional P-55455 or a
total of P755455 for ever3 claim filed after the t/entieth *85th+ claim, and another
P-55455 or a total of P955455 for ever3 claim filed after the thirtieth *:5th+ claim,
and another P-55455 for ever3 tenth additional case thereafter, pro!ressivel3 and
cumulativel3, but the total filin! fees shall not e;ceed P85, 5554554 )n no case
shall a part3 pa3 filin! fees of more than P85, 555455 per claim in a calendar 3ear4
Each part3 filin! a claim shall declare in the #tatement of Claim the number of
small claims cases that part3 filed in the court station /ithin the calendar 3ear4
*b+ Addition of the follo/in! statement in the #tatement of Claim *2orm
#CC+,particularl3 bet/een Nos4 7 and 9 thereof1
7-A4 )n this court station, ho/ man3 small claims cases have 3ou filed /ithin this
3ear prior to this present cases< =================
(Sa court station na ito, pang ilang kaso na itong isinampa mo sa loob ng
kasalukuyang taon? _________________ )
*c+ T/o *8+ 2orms on )nformation for the Plaintiff *2orm )-#CC-)nfo and )nformation for
the >efendant *2orm :-#CC-)nfo+, to /it1
)N2&RMAT)&N 2&R T?E PA')NT)22
(%&e 'er(o) *+,+)- %&e .,a+/#
(Kaalaman para sa Naghahabla)
-4 @#MA'' C'A)M# R('E@ % is a special procedure /here mone3 claims for P-55,55455
or less are heard4 The process is 0uic and ine;pensiveA the procedure is simple and
informal4
(TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG ALILIIT NA !ALAGA " ay natatanging
pamamaraan sa pag#inig kung saan ang $alagang salapi na sinisingil ay P%&&,&&&'&& o
mas mababa' Ang pros(so ay simpl( at $in#i pormal')
84 Bou are the plaintiff4 The person 3ou are filin! the case a!ainst is the defendant4
(Ika) ang Nag$a$abla' Ang taong siyang sinampa$an ng kaso ang !inabla'
:4 Before 3ou fill up this 2orm, read these )nstructions to no/ 3our ri!hts4 &r, 3ou ma3
in0uire about 3our ri!hts and the #mall Claims Procedure /ith the &ffice of the Cler of
Court *&CC+ of the place /here 3ou intend to file 3our claim4
(*ago mo sagutin ang +orm na ito basa$in muna ang mga tagubilin upang malaman ang
iyong mga karapatan' aari ka ring magtanong, tungkol sa iyong mga karapatan sa
,++ic( o+ t$( -l(rk o+ -ourt .,--/ ng lugar kung saan mo nais mag$ain ng r(klamo
ukol sa pagsingil ng maliit na $laga')
.4 )f 3our case falls under the #mall Claims Rule, theses are the thin!s 3ou can do at home
or in the baran!a31
(0ung ang iyong kaso ay nasasakla) ng Tuntunin sa Pagsingil ng aliliit ng !alaga,
ang mga bagay na ito ang maaari mong ga)in sa ba$ay o sa barangay1)
a4 "AT?ER A'' >&C(MENT# AN> EC)>ENCE PERT)NENT T& T?E C'A)M4
(TIPUNIN ANG LA!AT NG 2,0U3NT, AT GA 0ATI*A4ANG SSUSUP,5TA SA
I4,NG PAGSINGIL')
E;amples are1 (ga !alimba)a nito1)
- ContractDA!reement
(kontrata60asun#uan)
- Promissor3 Note D Receipts D Affidavit of WitnessDes D&ther )mportant
documents such as ChecDs or PictureDs
(0atibayan ng Pagkakautang 6 5(sibo 6 Sinumpaang Salaysay ng mga
Saksi 6 T(stigo 6 iba pang #okum(nto tula# ng Ts(k( at lara)an')
b4 'ATE#T >EMAN> 'ETTER *if ANB+4 )T# PR&&2 &2 #ERC)CE AN> PR&&2
&2 RECE)PT
(PINA0A!ULING LI!A NG PANININGIL .0UNG 35,N/, 0ATI*A4AN NG
PAGPA2ALA AT PAG0ATANGGAP NIT,')
c4 CERT)2)CATE T& 2)'E ACT)&N 2R&M T?E BARAN"AB, )2 NECE##ARB
(0ATUNA4AN NG PAGSASAPA NG 0AS, SA !U0UAN GALING SA *A5ANGA4,
0UNG 0INA0AILANGAN')
d4 #PEC)A' P&WER &2 ATT&RNEB )N CA#E PA')NT)22 ?EAR)N"4
(NATATANGING GA7A2"0APANG4A5I!AN o 8SP3-IAL P,735 ,9 ATT,5N348
0UNG ANG NAG!A!A*LA A4 !IN2I A0A2AL, SA PAG2INIG')
e4 #ECRETARBE# CERT)2)CATE &R B&AR> RE#&'(T)&N A(T?&R)F)N" B&(
T& 2)'E T?E CA#E, )2 B&( ARE REPRE#ENT)N" A C&RP&RAT)&N,
PARTNER#?)P, C&&PERAT)CE &R A##&C)AT)&N4
(PATUNA4 NG 0ALI!I , 53S,LUS4,N NG LUP,N NA NAGPAPA!INTUL,T SA
I4,NG 0UATA7AN SA LUP,N SA PAG SAPA NG 0AS,')
f4 if 3ou are unable to pa3 the filin! fees because 3ou have no ade0uate financial means,
3ou ma3 file the case as an indi!ent b3 !ettin! 2&RM 7-#CC AN> ATTAC?)N" T?E
2&''&W)N" >&C(MENT#1
Affidavit of indi!enc3
Baran!a3 Certificate of indi!enc3
Cit3 or Municipal AssessorEs Certificate
Cit3 or Municipal TreasurerEs &ffice Certificate
Affidavit of 8 disinterested persons
(0ung $in#i mo mabayaran ang +iling +((s #a$il )ala kang sapat na kakaya$ang
pinansyal, maari kang magsampa ng kaso bilang isang taong )alang sapat na
kabu$ayan sa pamamagitan ng pagsagot ng 9orm :"S-- 0ALA0IPANG GA
SUUSUN,2 NA 2,0U3NT,1
#inumpaan! #ala3sa3 na Walan! #apat n! Gabuha3an
Patuna3 n! Baran!a3 na Walan! #apat na Gabuha3an
Patuna3 n! Pan!lun!sod na Ta!atasa *assessor+
Patuna3 n! Tan!!apan n! Pan!lun!sod na )n!at-Baman
#inumpaan! #ala3sa3 n! 8 Taon! ?indi )nteresado+
H 2ill up 2orm --#CC4 Attach to the 2orm 3our supportin! documents and affidavits of
/itnesses4
(Punuan ang 9orm %"S--' Ilakip sa 9orm ang iyong mga #okum(nto at sinumpaang salaysay
ng mga t(stigo 6 saksi')
o Mae copies of A'' pa!es of this form and 3our supportin! documents *file the ori!inal
in court, mae a cop3 for each plaintiff or defendant named in the case and an e;tra cop3
for 3ourself+4
(Guma)a nng la$at ng pa$ina ng 9orm na ito at ng iyong mga #okum(nto .i$ain ang
ori$inal sa $ukuman, guma)a ng kopya para sa ba)at Nag$a$abla o !ina$abla sa kaso
at karag#agang kopya para sa iyo'/)
o )f the ori!inal documents consist of records that could not be separated, 3ou can
photocop3 the pertinent document and have it certified b3 the Cler of Court in the &CC
as a faithful reproduction of the ori!inal4
(0ung ang ori$inal na #okum(nto ay #i mai$i)alay, maari mong ipakopya ito at
ipac(rti+y sa -l(rk o+ -ourt ng ,-- na ang #okum(nto ay totoo at tapat na kopya ng
ori$inal)
H ?ave the form and all 3our supportin! documents, especiall3 the Cerification form, notariIed
b3 the Cler of Court in the &CC4
(0ailangan ang 9orm at la$at ng kalakip na #okum(nto, lalong $igit ang 9orm ng Patotoo ay
pinatunayan 6 ninotaryo ng -l(rk o+ -ourt .,--/ o *ranc$ -l(rk o+ -ourt')
H Pa3 the filin! fee4 *e;cept if 3our motion to sue as an indi!ent has been !ranted+
(agbaya# ng bayarin sa pagtala .maliban kung ang iyong ka$ilingan na makapagsampa ng
kaso bilang isang taong )alang sapat na kabu$ayan ay napagtibay na'/)
H "et the date and time of 3our hearin! from the court to /hich 3our case /as assi!ned4
.Alamin ang ara) at oras ng pag#inig sa $ukuman kung saan ang iyong kaso ay naka$abilin'/
H "& T& T?E C&(RT &N B&(R ?EAR)N" >ATE4 Brin! the ori!inals of all certified
documentar3 evidence attached to 3our 2orm --#CC to prove 3our case4
.PUUNTA SA !U0UAN SA P3TSA AT A5A7 NG PAG2INIG' 2al$in ang mga ori$inal ng
la$at ng #okum(nto ng katibayan, $igit lalo yaong kalakip sa iyong 9orm %"S-- para
patunayan ang iyong kaso'/
H B&( CANN&T ?ACE A 'AWBER AT T?E ?EAR)N"4 Bou ma3 consult a la/3er before
or after the hearin! but the la/3er cannot appear for or /ith 3ou at the hearin!4
(!U7AG 0ANG AGSAA NG A*,GA2, SA PAG2INIG' aari kang makipag"usap o
kumonsulta sa aboga#o bago o pagkatapos ng pag#inig p(ro ang aboga#o ay $in#i
pina$i$intulutang #umalo para sa iyo sa pag#inig')
o )f 3ou are representin! a corporation, partnership, cooperative or association, 3ou must
brin! 3our ori!inal /ritten authorit3 to appear at the hearin! and to enter into an amicable
settlement, to submit to alternative modes of dispute resolution, and to enter into
stipulations or admissions of facts and of documents4
(0ung iyong kinakata)an ay korporasyon, bakasan, koop(ratiba o asosayon 6 Sama$an,
kinakailangang mag#ala ka ng ori$inal na ga)a#"kapangyari$an na #umalo sa pag#inig
at para sa mapayapang pag"aayos, sumailalim sa alt(rnatibong paraan ng pag"aayos o
guma)a ng pag"amin o makipagyari sa mga pangyayari at #okum(nto')
H Bou must be a/are that upon the filin! of this case, the $ud!e ma3 dismiss 3our claim if she
or he finds le!al !rounds for dismissal such as lac of $urisdiction over the sub$ect matter,
improper venue, etc4 as enumerated in #ection - of Rule -7 of the -JJ9 Rules of Civil Procedure4
(*inibigyan ka ng babala na sa pagsampa ng kaso, maaring maipa)alang"saysay ng $ukuman
ang iyong kaso kung nakita niya na mayroong l(gal na batayan para maipa)alang"saysay ito,
tula# ng ka)alan ng kapangyari$an sa bagay ng kaso, $in#i )asto ang lugar na pinagsampa$an
ng kaso, (tc' na isinasaa# sa S(ction %, 5ul( %:, %;;< 5ul(s o+ -i=il Proc(#ur(')
)N2&RMAT)&N 2&R T?E >E2EN>ANT
(%&e 'er(o) a-a+)(% 0&o/ %&e .a(e +( *+,e1#
(2aa,a/a) 'ara (a 3+)a&ab,a#
-4 4SMA CA"MS RUE4 % is a special procedure /here mone3 claims for
P-55,555455 or less are heard4 The process is 0uic and ine;pensiveA the procedure is
simple K informal4
(TUNTUNIN SA PAGSINGIL NG ALILIIT NA !ALAGA > ay natatanging
pamamaraan sa pag#inig kung saan ang $alaga ng salapi na sinisingil ay P%&&,&&&'&& o
mas mababa' Ang pros(so ay simpl( at $in#i pormal)
84 Bou are the defendant - the person a!ainst /hom the case is filed4 The person /ho is
filin! the case is the plaintiff4
(Ika) ang !ina$abla, ang taong sinampa$an ng kaso' Ang taong nagsampa ng kaso ay
ang Nag$a$abla')
:4 Read this form K all pa!es attached to understand the claim a!ainst 3ou K to protect 3our
ri!hts4
(*asa$in ang 9orm na ito at ang la$at ng pa$ina na kalakip upang mauna)aan ang
kaso laban sa iyo at upang mapangalagaan ang iyong mga karapatan')
.4 Bou must file 3our Response K attend the hearin! on the date indicated in the Notice of
?earin!4 )f 3ou do not !o to court, 3ou ma3 lose the case4
(Ika) ay kinakailangang magsumit( ng iyong Sagot at pumunta sa kort( sa p(tsa ng
pag#inig na nakasulat sa Abiso sa Pag#inig' 0ung $in#i ka makakapunta sa kort( maari
kang matalo sa kaso')
64 Mae copies of the Response K all its pa!es K attached documents *file the ori!inal in
court K serve one cop3 on each plaintiff K eep an e;tra cop3 for 3ourself+
(Guma)a ng mga kopya ng Sagot at la$at ng mga pa$ina nito at ilakip ang mga
#okum(nto .i$ain ang ori$inal sa $ukuman at bigyan ng kopya ang Nag$a$abla at mag"
i)an ng kopya para sa iyo/)'
6. !o " )ee1 a ,a0yer5
(Kailangan ko ba ang abogado?)
Bou ma3 consult a la/3er but 6OU CANNOT 3A$E A A76ER 7"T3 6OU AT
T3E 3EAR"N8.
(aaari kang komunsulta sa aboga#o p(ro HINDI KA MAAARING MAGSAMA NG
ABOGADO SA PAGDINIG)
7. 7&a% +* " 1o)9% ('ea: E)-,+(& 0e,,5
(Paano k!ng hindi ako makagsali"ang mab!"i ng Ingl#s?)
The $ud!e /ill spea in 2ilipino or the local dialect4 A court-provided interpreter shall
also be available on the hearin! da34
(Ang $ukom ay magsasalita sa 9ilipino o sa lokal na #iyal(kto' Ang pang$ukumang
tagasalin ay maaaring magamit sa ara) ng pag#inig')
8. 3o0 1o " -e% rea1y *or .our%5
(Paano ako makapaghahanda sa h!k!man?)
2ill up the form entitled @Response@ and file it in court /ithin ten *-5+ calendar da3s from
3our receipt of the form4 )f 3ou have 0uestions re!ardin! the 2orm, 3ou can in0uire /ith
the court that served 3ou the summons K the Response4 The telephone no4 of the court is
/ritten on the #ummons4
(Punuan ang 9orm na 8Sagot8 at i$ain ito sa $ukuman sa loob ng sampung (%&) ara)
simula sa pagtanggap ng 9orm' 0ung ika) ay mayroong mga tanong tungkol sa 9orm,
maaari kang magtanong sa kort( na nagpa#ala ng Pata)ag at ng Sagot' Ang num(ro ng
t(l(pono ng $ukuman ay nakasulat sa Pata)ag')
;. 7&a% &a''e) +* " 1o)9% *+,e %&e Re('o)(e a)1 a''ear a% %&e &ear+)-5
(Anong mang$a$ari k!ng hindi ako naghain ng Sago" a" hindi d!malo sa pagdinig?)
The court shall proceed /ith the hearin! and, if 3ou are absent, the court shall mae a
$ud!ment as ma3 be /arranted b3 the facts4
(Ang kort( ay magpapatuloy sa pag#inig at, kung ika) ay $in#i #umalo, ay magpapasiya
at magbibigay ng #(sisyon ayon sa nararapat')
10. 7&a% &a''e)( a% %&e &ear+)-5
(Anong mang$a$ari sa pagdinig?)
)f 3ou K the plaintiff /ill appear at the hearin!, the $ud!e /ill listen to both of 3ou4 The
$ud!e shall conduct mediation and encoura!e 3ou K the plaintiff to settle 3our case4 )f
3ou donEt settle, the $ud!e shall render a decision on the da3 of hearin! itself4 Bou cannot
appeal this decision4
(0ung ika) at ang nag$a$abla ay #a#alo sa pag#inig, ang $ukom ay makikinig sa
inyong #ala)a' Ang $ukom ay $i$ikayat sa inyong magka"ayos at magkasun#o at lutasin
ang inyong #i pagkakauna)aan' 0ung $in#i kayo magkakasun#o, ang $ukom ay gaga)a
ng #(sisyon sa ara) mismo ng pag#inig' !in#i ka na maaaring mag"ap(la sa #(sisyon
ng kort(')
11. !o " &a<e o'%+o)(5
(M#ron ba akong pagpipilian?)
Bes4 )f 3ou are the defendant, 3ou can do an3 of the follo/in!1
(,o' 0ung ika) ang !ina$abla, maaari mong ga)in ang alinman sa mga sumusuno#')
o #ettle 3our case before the hearin! 4 )f 3ou and the plaintiff a!ree on ho/ to settle
the case, both of 3ou must notif3 the court4 As the &CC or Branch Cler of
Court for help4
(Ayusin mo ang usapin bago pa #umating ang pag#inig' 0ung ika) at ang
Nag$a$abla ay nagkaayos kung paano pagkasun#uan ang kaso, par($o ninyong
ipaalam sa $ukuman' !umingi ng tulong sa ,++ic( o+ t$( -l(rk o+ -ourt (,--) o
sa *ranc$ -l(rk o+ -ourt')
o 2ile the Response4 Appear at the hearin! 4 Brin! the affidavits of /itnesses,
receipts and an3 evidence 3ou need to prove 3our case4
(ag$ain ng Sagot' 2umalo sa pag#inig' 2al$in ang mga sinumpaang salaysay
ng mga t(stigo, mga r(sibo at anumang katibayang iyong kailangan upang
patunayan ang iyong usapin')
o A!ree /ith the plaintiffEs claim K pa3 the mone3 4 &r, if 3ou canEt pa3 the mone3
no/ !o to the hearin! and sa3 3ou /ant to mae pa3ments b3 installment4
(Sumang"ayon sa $alagang sinisingil ng Nag$a$abla at bayaran ito' ,, kung
$in#i mabayaran ang sinisingil ngayon, #umalo ka sa pag#inig at sabi$in sa
kort( na gusto mong magbaya# ng $ulugan')
o 'et the case proceed /ithout 3ou 4 )f 3ou donEt settle K do not !o to the hearin!,
the $ud!e ma3 !ive the plaintiff /hat he or she is asin! for plus court costs4 )f
this happens, the court ma3 order that 3our mone3 or propert3 be taen to pa3 the
$ud!ment4
(agpapatuloy ang kaso ka$it )ala ka' 0ung $in#i ka nakipag"ayos at $in#i ka
#umalo sa pag#inig, maaaring ipagkaloob ng $ukom ang anumang $ini$ingi ng
Nag$a$abla, pati na ang gastos sa pag$ain ng kasong ito' 0ung ito ay mangyari,
ang kort( ay maaaring mag"utos na ang iyong p(ra o ari"arian ay ku$anin para
bayaran ang nakasaa# sa #(sisyon ng kort(')
*c+ Administrative "uidelines for *a+ Lud!es and *b+ E;ecutive Lud!es, Cler of
Courts in multi-sala stations and in sin!le-sala stations and Branch Clers of
Courts, to /it1
A!M"N"STRAT"$E 8U"!E"NES
To aid in achievin! a uniform and s3stematic implementation of the Rule b3 all courts
concerned, the TW" recommends the issuance of Administrative "uidelines specificall3
addressin! the concerns of not onl3 the Lud!es, but also of the court personnel involved in the
application of the Rule on #mall Claims4
A. 8u+1e,+)e( *or =u1-e(
-4 (pon receipt of a case, determine if it is a small claim4
-4-4 )t must involve a pure mone3 claim the principal amount of /hich does not
e;ceed P-55,5554554
-484 )f the principal claim e;ceeds P-55,555455, there must be a /aiver of the
e;cess embodied in the #tatement of Claim4
-4:4 With re!ard to B4P4 Bl!4 88 cases, the court ma3 onl3 entertain the civil
aspect as a small claim if no complaint for the offense has 3et been filed before
the &ffice of the Prosecutor4 This fact must be stated under oath b3 the plaintiff in
the #tatement of Claim, and there should be an e;press /aiver of such criminal
action in the Cerification and Certification of Non-2orum #hoppin!4
-4.4 )f a case is determined b3 a $ud!e to be not a @small claim@ /ithin the
meanin! of the Rule, but it still falls /ithin the $urisdiction of the 2irst 'evel
Courts, the case should not be dismissed, and the $ud!e should instead declare it
!overned b3 the appropriate procedure *Re!ular Procedure or #ummar3
Procedure+4 The case should then be re-doceted but no re-assi!nment *b3 raffle
in a multi-sala court+ is necessar34 This /ill prevent the forfeiture of the filin!
fees alread3 paid b3 the part3, and the case can be immediatel3 acted upon b3 the
same court4
84 >etermine if there is a !round for outri!ht dismissal4
The submission of a Certificate to 2ile Action from the baran!a3 is a pre-re0uisite
in #mall Claims covered b3 the baran!a3 $ustice s3stem4
(nder Rule -7 par4 *$+ of the -JJ9 Rules of Civil Procedure, non-compliance /ith
a condition precedent is a !round for dismissal of a complaint4 Chapter C))
*#ection :JJ-.88+ of R4A4 No4 9-75, the 'ocal "overnment Code, no/ embodies
the rules for mandator3 conciliation proceedin!s before the baran!a3 in covered
cases4 Althou!h the Rule on #mall Claims Cases does not e;pressl3 refer to such
re0uirement, it is still mandator3 as it is re0uired b3 la/4 Non-compliance,
therefore, /ith the baran!a3 re0uirement is still a !round for dismissal pursuant to
Rule -7 of the re!ular rules, /hich appl3 suppletoril3 accordin! to #ection 86 of
the Rule4
:4 )f there is no !round for outri!ht dismissal, issue summons AN> notice hearin!
:4-4 The summons and notice of hearin!, /hich are re0uired to be issued @/ithin
the same da3 of receipt of the #tatement of Claim@ under #ection -5, must be
issued /ithin 8. hors from such receipt, the phrase @same da3@ to be construed as
@/ithin one da3@4
:484 >o not /ait for summons to be served before settin! the case for hearin!4
:4:4 The hearin! should be set /ithin thirt3 *:5+ da3s from receipt of the case4 )n
case the defendant resides outside the $udicial re!ion, the hearin! ma3 be set not
later than 75 da3s from date of receipt of the case4
:4.4 2ailure of the plaintiff to cause service of summons /ithin t/o *8+ months
from receipt of #heriffEs Return shall cause the dismissal of the claim for failure
to prosecute *Rule -9, #ection :, Rules of Court+4 This is not a !round to archive
the case4
:464 An3 part3 /ho appears at an3 time after the CourtEs receipt of the case should
be notified immediatel3 of the date set for hearin!4
:474 There should be, at least, one *-+ hearin! da3 ever3 /ee devoted to #mall
Claims, /ith a minimum of five *6+ cases scheduled per hearin! da34 Cases /ith
the same part3-plaintiff ma3 all be set on the same date for facilit3 in the
preparation of notices and $ud!ments4 The Court should post a notice of its small
claims hearin! da3 conspicuousl3 at the Branch and at the &ffice of the Cler
Court4
:494 Lud!es must approve an Estimate of E;penses submitted b3 their
#heriffDProcess #erver /ithin 8. hours from filin! before an3 release from the
#T2 is allo/ed4
.4 &n the date of the hearin!
.4-4 Mae an openin! statement *#ection 85A see also 2orm 7A-#CC+ e;plainin!
to the parties the ob$ect of the Rule and the procedure for hearin! the case4 Ensure
that the parties understand the proceedin!s and activel3 participate therein4
.484 Conduct settlement discussions in strict confidentialit34 Tr3 to e;plain to the
parties /h3 an amicable settlement /ill be mutuall3 beneficial4
.4:4 The draftin! of a comprise a!reement should be part of the hearin! conducted
b3 the $ud!e4 This /ill ensure that an a!reement /ill be for!ed /ithin the da3 of
the hearin! to pave the /a3 for its approval b3 /a3 of the re0uired $ud!ment, to
be issued also /ithin the same da34 )t /ill also reduce the incidence of inclusion
of terms /hich are contrar3 to la/, morals, !ood customs, public polic3 and
public order4
.4.4 ?ave a template of a Compromise A!reement read34 The parties ma3 be
referred to the Branch Cler of Court or the Cler-in-Char!e for assistance in
filin! up the template, /hether before or after the case is called in open court4
.464 )n all instances, revie/ the terms of the Compromise A!reement submitted
b3 the parties4 >o not approve terms /hich are unconscionable and e;cessive,
especiall3 those relatin! to interest rates and surchar!es4 )n the latter instance, in
3our $ud!ment approve the a!reement in part, substitute and impose a provision
/hich is reasonable, to replace those 3ou have disapproved for bein! e;cessive
and unconscionable4
.474 )n case a non-ans/erin! defendant appears at the hearin!, reco!niIe his
appearance onl3 if he is /illin! to enter into discussions of settlement, but !uard
a!ainst coercin! the defendant to enter into one4
.494 )f a non-ans/erin! defendant appears at the hearin! and a!rees to discuss a
settlement but pleads partial pa3ments, /hich the plaintiff admits, but no
settlement is ultimatel3 reached, render $ud!ment based on the #tatement of
Claim4 )f the plaintiff /aives in /ritin! *even in the Minutes of ?earin! onl3+ the
confidentialit3 of the settlement discussion, 3ou ma3 consider the admission of
partial pa3ments in renderin! 3our decision4
.4,4 )f at an3time before or at the hearin!, a Compromise A!reement is submitted
si!ned b3 both parties but onl3 one or neither part3 appears to confirm it, issue an
order to the non-appearin! part3 to confirm it /ithin : da3s, other/ise it shall be
deemed confirmed4 Then issue a $ud!ment based on the a!reement4
.4J4 )f no settlement is reached and the parties do not /ish to have another $ud!e
hear the case, proceed to the hearin! proper in an informal manner and terminate
and decide it /ithin the same da34
64 >ecision and e;ecution
64-4 Whether based on an amicable settlement or on the merits, $ud!ment must be
issued on the same date of the hearin!, e;cept /hen there is a motion b3 an3 part3
under #ection 88 to have another $ud!e hear the case4
6484 (pon issuance of the decision, have copies served on all parties present to
avoid mailin! them4
64:4 A decision under the Rule is immediatel3 final and e;ecutor4 )t must be
recorded in the Boo of Lud!ments on the same date it is rendered4
64.4 There is no appeal and, hence, no period to appeal to /ait for4
6464 &n the same da3 the decision is rendered, the /innin! part3 ma3 move for its
e;ecution4
>. 8u+1e,+)e( *or E?e.u%+<e =u1-e(, C,er:( o* Cour%( (COC(# +) /u,%+ (a,a (%a%+o)( a)1 +)
(+)-,e (a,a (%a%+o)( a)1 >ra).& C,er:( o* Cour% (>CC(#
-4 The Clers of Court and the Branch Clers of Court *even non-la/3ers+ ma3 administer
the oath to liti!ants for the forms to be used under the Rule4 No fee shall be collected for
this purpose4
84 The Clers of Court should not accept mere photocopies of documentar3 anne;es
submitted b3 the parties but should monitor strict compliance /ith #ections 6 and -- of
the Rule4
:4 The Clers of Court should have a separate docet for #mall Claims Cases /ith
independent numberin!4 #hould a case, ori!inall3 doceted as a #mall Claim, be ordered
re-doceted, i4e4, it is !overned b3 the Rule on #ummar3 Procedure or re!ular procedure,
this should be recorded in the appropriate docet and a ne/ number !iven to the case4
?o/ever, the case should not be re-raffled but should immediatel3 be sent bac to the
ori!inal court after re-docetin!4
.4 The Clers of Court should onl3 as for 8 copies of the pleadin!s and all their anne;es1 -
for the court and - for the defendant4 )f there is more than - defendant, that is the onl3
time the &CC ma3 re0uire additional copies, - for each additional defendant4
64 The Clers of Court can onl3 certif3 photocopies of documents if the ori!inals are
presented to them b3 the part3 /ho does not /ant to leave the same /ith the court4 )n that
instance, the C&C can certif3 that the document is a faithful reproduction of the ori!inal
e;hibited b3 the part34 No fee shall be char!ed for this certification4
74 )f, despite advice to the contrar3, a liti!ant insists on the filin! of a vase as a #mall Claim,
the C&C should reiterate the previous advice !iven in a respectful manner and then
docet the case4
94 Even despite insistence, C&Cs should not accept a #tatement of Claim si!ned b3 a
la/3er unless the la/3er himself is the plaintiff, not even if he si!ns it as an attorne3-in-
fact of the named plaintiff4
,4 Re0uests for advances for transportation e;penses from the #heriffEs Trust 2und should
be acted upon /ithin 8. hours from receipt of the approved #tatement of Estimated
E;penses4
J4 The Clers of Court should ensure that the full names and addresses of the parties are
indicated in the #tatement of Claim, as /ell as alternative contact information *such as
telephone numbers+, /hen possible4
10. The Monthl3 >ocet )nventor3 Report should reflect the date /hen a case is decided or
disposed of vis-M-vis the date of filin! so that the timeless of court action ma3 be
assessed4 The date /hen summons /as issued and the date of hearin! should also be
indicated4 2inall3, the e;ecution and satisfaction of $ud!ments rendered under the Rule
should also be part of the Monthl3 Report to determine the RuleEs efficac34
-
--4 The rule on inhibition in re!ular cases shall appl3 to #mall Claims Courts4
-84 An additional fee of P655455 should be assessed an3 liti!ant for the -5th small claim
filed, and for ever3 6th additional case thereafter4 The fee is $ustified b3 the service
availed of /hich re0uires e;tra time and effort on the part of the courts4 The volume of
cases filed evidences the capacit3 of the liti!ant to pa3 the fees4
-:4 &n the same da3 of filin!Drafflin! of the #tatement of Claim, the Cler of Court shall
transmit the record of the case to the branch assi!ned4 The Branch Cler of Court
*BC&C+ shall forth/ith inform the plaintiff of the date of hearin! of the case4
-.4 (pon receipt of a ne/l3 filedDraffled small claim, in case the Presidin! Lud!e is on leave,
the BC&C shall immediatel3 refer the case to the Pairin! Lud!e for appropriate action in
accordance /ith e;istin! Rules4
-64 #heriffs and Process #ervers shall serve the summons and notice of hearin! /ithin 6 da3s
from issuance, unless the distance $ustifies a lon!er period, but in no case shall service be
effected be3ond :5 da3s from date of issuance4 Within 6 da3s from such service, the
&fficerEs Return shall be filed /ith the court /ith a cop3 furnished to the plaintiff at the
!iven addressDes of record4
and
*d+ Nation/ide implementationDroll-out of the Rule on Procedure for #mall Claims Cases, as
amended, to all first level courts, e;cept the #hariEa Circuit Court, effective thirt3 *:5+ da3s from
date hereof4
'et this resolution be published in a ne/spaper of !eneral circulation4@ *adv-58+
Cer3 trul3 3ours,
*#!d4+ MA. U"SA !. $"ARAMA
Cler of Court
Foo%)o%e(
-
Monthl3 >ocet )nventor3 Report of #mall Claims Cases is hereto attached as Anne;
@?@