Outline of Jurisdiction

Outline of Jurisdiction JOJO JOJO 3 1 2002-01-09T05:38:00Z 2002-01-09T05:40:00Z 2 653 3723 SUPREME COURT 31 7 4572 9.2720 90

4. REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

A. Original

1. Civil

1.1 Exclusive

1.1.1 Subject of action not capable of pecuniary estimation;

1.1.2 Actions involving title or possession of real property or interest therein where the assessed value exceeds Php 20,000.00 or in Metro Manila Php 50,000.00 except forcible entry and unlawful detainer;

1.1.3 Actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where demand or claim exceeds Php100,000.00; or in Metro Manila Php 200,000.00;

1.1.4 Matters of probate, testate, or intestate, where gross value of estate exceeds Php100,000.00 or in Metro Manila P200,000.00

1.1.5 Actions involving marriage and marital relations(now under the jurisdiction of the Family Courts);

1.1.6 Cases not within exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial function;

1.1.7 Actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts (now the Family Courts, Sec. V, infra) and the Court of Agrarian Relations;

1.1.8 Other cases where demand, exclusive of interest, damages, attorney's fees, litigation expenses and costs, or value of property in controversy exceeds Php 100,000.00 or in Metro Manila Php 200,000.00 (Sec. 19 of BP 129 as amended by RA 7691) However, if the claim for damages is the main cause of action, the amount thereof shall be considered in determining the jurisdiction of the court. (Administrative Circular No. 09-94, dated June 14, 1994)

Note: The amounts in 1.1.3, 1.1.4 and 1.1.8 were doubled as of March 20, 1999 under Sec. 5 of RA 7691; Circular No. 21-99. The original amount of Php 100, 000.00 which was increased to Php 200,000.00 will be increased to Php 300,000.00 five (5) years thereafter.

1.1.9 Additional original jurisdiction transferred under Section 5.2 of the Securities Regulation Code:

a) Devices or schemes employed by, or any acts of, the board of directors, business associates, its officers or partnership, amounting to fraud and misrepresentation xxx

b) Controversies arising out of intra-corporate or partnership relations xxx

c) Controversies in the election or appointment of directors, trustees, officers or managers of such corporation, partnerships or association.

d) Petitions of corporations, partnerships or associations to be declared in a state of suspension of payments xxx (RA No. 8799 approved on July 19, 2000)

1.2 Concurrent

1.2.1 with Supreme Court

Actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls; (Sec. 21[1] of BP 129)

1.2.2 with Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

a) Certiorari , Prohibition, and Mandamus against lower courts and bodies.

b) Habeas corpus and Quo Warranto , Sec. 9 [1] and Sec. 21 [1] of BP 129

1.2.3 with Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts

No concurrent jurisdiction: Guardianship and adoption cases are now under the exclusive original jurisdiction of Family Courts established by RA 8369 known as the 'Family Courts Act of 1997' approved on October 28, 1997. (See Sec. 5 infra .)

1.2.4 With the Insurance Commission

Claims not exceeding Php 100,000.00 (Sec. 416 of the Insurance Code (1974), PD 612). Applicable if subject of the action is not capable of pecuniary estimation; otherwise, jurisdiction is concurrent with Metropolitan Trial Courts, etc.

2. Criminal

2.1 Exclusive

Criminal cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body. (Sec. 20 of BP 129) These include criminal cases where the penalty provided by law exceeds six (6) years imprisonment irrespective of the fine. (RA 7691). These also include criminal cases not falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan where none of the accused are occupying positions corresponding to salary grade '27' and higher. (RA 7975 and 8249)

But in cases where the only penalty provided by law is a fine, the Regional Trial Courts have jurisdiction if the amount of the fine exceeds Php 4,000.

(RA 7691 as clarified by Administrative Circular No. 09-94 dated June 14, 1994)

Notes: Family Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over criminal cases where one or more of the accused is below eighteen (18) years of age but not less than nine (9) years of age, or when one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense. (Sec. 5(a) of RA 8369)

B. Appellate

All cases decided by lower courts (Metropolitan Trial Courts, etc.) in their respective territorial jurisdictions. (Sec. 22 of BP 129)