SC: NCR courts, judicial offices closed from August 2 to 20

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday announced that all courts and judicial offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be closed starting Monday, August 2 until Friday, August 20.

In an administrative circular, the SC said the courts will continue to operate online and conduct videoconferencing hearings only for urgent incidents and cases.

This includes applications for bail, releases due to dismissal of cases or acquittal, habeas corpus, applications for temporary protection orders for violence against women and children, and analogous circumstances.

Meanwhile, the SC also suspended the filing of pleadings and motions. These will resume seven days from the first day of the physical reopening of the courts.

Malacañang on Friday announced that NCR would be placed under enhanced community quarantine from August 6 to 20 in light of the threat posed by the Delta coronavirus variant.

Outside NCR

Courts outside NCR that are under enhanced community quarantine or modified enhanced community quarantine will also be physically closed during the duration of the quarantine classification.

Meanwhile, courts and judicial offices in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ will remain open with at least a 25% workforce.

“With notice to the Office of the Court administrator, all judges of the first and second-level courts may continue to conduct fully remote video conferencing hearings, regardless of the community quarantine classification and physical location… until further notice,” the SC said. —NB, GMA News