Supreme Court launches system for fast litigation

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Tuesday launched a system to hasten litigation and give greater judicial access to poor. The scheme will expedite so-called small claims which will be handled by 24 first-level courts nationwide starting today. Small claims refer to civil cases involving payment or reimbursement of a sum not exceeding P100,000. Typical claims include actual damages to vehicles, property, or person; money owed under a contract; and payment for bounced check. Under the system, litigation will be similar to a mediation process without need for lawyers. The case should be resolved within the day. While the decisions are final, these will still be subject to the jurisdiction of the high court cases of grave abuse of discretion. Under the rules issued and published by the high court, judges from these first-level courts will transform "from that of passive referees to interventionist umpires, but without removing their neutrality." "For so long a time, we have sat on our hands in the face of the urgent need to widen our poor people’s access to justice. Social justice is a buzz word in other countries, but inaction in our jurisdiction has made it a boo word [With such reforms] we have shortened the distance between our dream of justice for the poor and the cruel reality on ground," Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno said at the launch of the Small Claims Court Pilot Project at the Supreme Court Tuesday. "Statistics show that most of the poor get involved in civil litigation in amounts no more than P100,000. Hence, we targeted these cases. The objectives are clear-cut: resolve the cases of the poor at the quickest time; cut their cost of litigation; and widen their access to courts," he added. In a separate presentation, Court Administrator Jose P. Perez said the process will help decongest court dockets. In the National Capital Region alone, 70% of cases revolve around small claims, he added. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Jon Lindborg said the program will introduce a bigger reform to the system. "The people and the judiciary will more likely observe their legal obligations, the Judiciary will become thus more efficient," he said. The small claims project is in partnership with USAID and the American Bar Association. — BusinessWorld