Courts in ECQ, MECQ areas to remain physically closed –SC

All courts under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified enhanced community quarantine, with or without heightened restrictions, will remain physically closed starting November 8, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Saturday.

In Circular No. 134-2021 issued by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, courts in these areas shall continue to operate and conduct video conferencing on all matters, whether urgent or not so as not to delay the trial of cases and court processes.

“In case there is a need for judges and personnel to physically report to the court or judicial office for urgent or essential matters, they should not exceed 30% of the workforce at any given time,” the circular read.

The SC said courts in areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) shall be open for the duration of such alert level or community quarantine classification and must maintain a skeleton workforce of at least 30% to 50%.

Meanwhile, all offices and units of the High Court in the National Capital Region (NCR) shall maintain an operational capacity of at least 50% starting November 8.

The SC, however, noted that the period for filing and service of pleadings and other court submissions shall no longer be suspended, regardless of the alert level or community quarantine classification, since the same may be done electronically.

“In case an area is placed under conflicting alert level and community quarantine classification, as categorized herein, the more restrictive court operation as provided in the alert level or community quarantine classification shall prevail,” the High Court said.

The NCR was placed under an Alert Level 2 from November 5 until November 21, 2021. — DVM, GMA News