benchbook

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[ TABLE OF CONTENTS ]

BENCHBOOK FOR TRIAL COURT JUDGES

INTRODUCTION

I.

JUDICIAL POWER AND THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY

i-1

II.

HOW TO USE THE BENCHBOOK

i-2

A.

The Benchbook as Judge’s Guide

i-3

B.

Organization of the Benchbook

i-3

C.

Benchbook Citations

i-5

OUTLINE OF JURISDICTION

I.

SUPREME COURT

1-1

A.

Original

1-1

1.

Exclusive

1-1

2.

Concurrent

1-1

B.

Appellate

1-2

1.

Notice of appeal

1-2

2.

Petition for review on certiorari

1-2

3.

Special civil action of certiorari

1-2

II.

COURT OF APPEALS

1-3

A.

Original

1-3

1.

Exclusive

1-3

2.

Concurrent

1-3

B.

Appellate

1-3

1.

Ordinary appeal by notice of appeal or record on appeal

1-3

2.

Petition for review

1-3

III.

SANDIGANBAYAN

1-4

A.

Original

1-4

1.

Exclusive

1-4

2.

Concurrent with Supreme Court

1-5

B.

Appellate

1-5

IV.

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

1-5

A.

Original

1-5

1.

Civil

1-5

2.

Criminal

1-7

B.

Appellate

1-7

V.

FAMILY COURTS

1-7

A.

Exclusive and Original

1-7

VI.

METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

1-8

A.

Original

1-8

1.

Civil

1-8

2.

Criminal

1-9

3.

Summary procedure

1-10

CIVIL PROCEDURE PART ONE

ORDINARY CIVIL ACTIONS

I.

CASE BEGINS WITH THE FILING OF COMPLAINT

2-1

A.

Preliminary

2-1

1.

Definition of complaint

2-1

2.

Requirements

2-1

B.

Filing of Complaint

2-3

1.

Manner

2-3

2.

Payment of docket and other lawful fees

2-4

II.

COURT ACQUIRES JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES

2-5

A.

Modes of Service of Summons

2-5

1.

Personal service

2-5

2.

Substituted service

2-5

3.

Constructive service (By Publication)

2-7

4.

Extraterritorial service, when allowed

2-8

B.

Effect of Lack of Summons

2-9

III.

INCIDENTS AFTER COURT HAS ACQUIRED JURISDICTION OVER THE PARTIES

2-10

A.

Preliminary

2-10

B.

Rules on the Specific Incidents

2-10

1.

Notice of dismissal of complaint

2-10

2.

Amended complaint

2-11

3.

Supplemental complaint

2-11

4.

Deposition

2-12

5.

Written interrogatories upon defendant

2-12

6.

Request for admission

2-13

7.

Production or inspection of document or things

2-13

8.

Physical and mental examination of a party

2-13

9.

Consequences of refusal

2-13

10.

Default

2-14

11.

Extension of time to file responsive pleading

2-16

12.

Bill of particulars

2-17

13.

Motion to dismiss

2-17

IV.

JOINDER OF ISSUES

2-29

A.

Filing of Answer

2-29

1.

Time to plead

2-29

2.

Strict observance of the period

2-30

3.

Effect of failure to plead

2-30

B.

Counterclaim

2-31

1.

Definition

2-31

2

Difference between permissive and compulsory counterclaim

2-31

3.

Cognate rules

2-32

V.

PRE-TRIAL

2-33

A.

Concept of Pre-Trial

2-33

1.

Concept of pre-trial

2-33

2.

Purpose of pre-trial

2-33

3.

Administrative Circular No. 3-99

2-34

4.

The pre-trial order

2-35

VI.

TRIAL

2-36

A.

Administrative Circular No. 3-99

2-36

B.

Some Rules

2-38

VII.

ADJUDICATION

2-40

A.

Concept and Requirements

2-40

B.

Kinds of Judgment and Definitions

2-40

1.

Without reception of evidence

2-40

2.

With partial reception of evidence

2-41

C.

Cases on Summary Judgments

2-41

D.

Ordinary Judgment

2-43

VIII.

REMEDIES AGAINST JUDGMENT AND FINAL ORDERS

2-46

A

Kinds of Remedies

2-46

1.

Before finality of judgments or final orders

2-46

2.

After finality of judgments or final orders

2-46

B.

Motion for Reconsideration and New Trial

2-46

1.

Common rules

2-46

2.

Motion for reconsideration

2-47

3.

Motion for new trial

2-47

C.

Appeal

2-50

1.

General principles

2-50

D.

Modes of Appeal

2-52

E.

Cognate Rules

2-53

1.

General rule

2-53

2.

Difference between question of fact and question of law

2-53

3.

Notice of appeal

2-53

4.

Record on appeal

2-54

5.

Perfection of appeal

2-54

6.

Effect of perfection of appeal

2-54

7.

Period to appeal

2-55

IX.

EXECUTION OF JUDGMENTS AND FINAL ORDERS

2-56

A.

Basic Concepts and Doctrines

2-56

1.

Definition

2-56

2.

Kinds of execution

2-56

3.

When writ of execution may be quashed

2-57

4.

Execution of final judgments and orders

2-57

5.

Specific rules

2-58

6.

Levy and garnishment

2-59

7.

Rules on redemption

2-61

8.

Rules in deed of possession

2-62

CIVIL PROCEDURE PART TWO

PROVISIONAL REMEDIES

I. COMMON RULES 2-63

A. Attachment 2-64

1. Definition

2-64

2. Concept and purpose

2-64

3. Nature and scope

2-64

4. Strict compliance with the rule

2-65

5. Attachment to acquire jurisdiction over the res

2-65

6. Stages in the issuance of the writ

2-65

7. Orders in provisional remedies

2-66

8. Important jurisprudential rules

2-67

B. Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order 2-68

1. Two kinds of preliminary injunction

2-68

2. Purpose

2-69

3. Definition of status quo

2-69

4. Independent action to obtain preliminary injunction 2-70

5. Essential requisites for issuance of preliminary injunction

2-70

6. Rulings

2-70

7. Summary denial without adequate hearing proper

2-70

8. When hearing on the merits unnecessary

2-71

9. Cases where injunction was held improper

2-71

10. Exceptions 2-73

11. Cases where injunction prohibited 2-73

12. Cases where criminal prosecutions were enjoined 2-73

13. Mandatory injunction 2-74

14. Cases where mandatory injunction not granted

2-74

15. Injunction against courts or tribunals of equal rank is prohibited

2-75

16.

Statutory prohibitions against the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction

2-75

17. Injunctions not issued where act sought to be prevented had been committed 2-77

18.

No injunction beyond prayer in complaint

2-78

19. Temporary restraining order 2-78

D. Receivership 2-79

1. Appointment of a receiver

2-79

2. Specific situations when a receiver may be appointed

2-79

E. Replevin 2-80

1. Steps in the issuance and implementation of a writ of replevin

2-80

2. Notes 2-80

3. Return of property under writ of replevin

2-81

F. Support Pendente Lite 2-81

1. Notes and cases

2-81

CIVIL PROCEDURE PART THREE

SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS

I. THE DIFFERENT SPECIAL CIVIL ACTIONS 2-83

A. Interpleader 2-83

1. Requisites

2-83

2. Decisional rules 2-83

3. Procedural peculiarities

2-84

B. Declaratory Relief and Similar Remedies 2-84

1. Requisites

2-84

2. Procedural peculiarities

2-85

3. Declaratory relief improper in the following cases

2-85

C. Certiorari 2-86

1. Requisites

2-86

2. Terminology

2-86

3. When not proper

2-86

4. Exceptions to requirements before certiorari can be availed of

2-87

5. Requirements regarding the extrinsic sufficiency of the petition

2-87

6. Time to file

2-88

7. Decisions

2-88

D. Prohibition 2-88

1. Requisites

2-88

2. Decisional rules

2-88

E. Quo Warranto 2-89

1. Definition

2-89

2. Quo Warranto as distinguished from election contest

2-89

3. Peculiarities of proceedings

2-89

F. Expropriation 2-90

1. Requisites for exercise of right

2-90

2. Two stages in expropriation proceedings

2-90

G. Foreclosure of Real Estate Mortgage 2-90

1. Judgment in a foreclosure proceeding

2-90

2. Distinction between right of redemption and equity of redemption

2-91

3. Writ of possession in judicial foreclosure

2-91

4. Deficiency judgment

2-91

H. Partition 2-92

1. Two stages of the action

2-92

2. Prescription of action

2-92

3. Some decisions

2-93

I. Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer 2-93

1. Nature of accion interdictal

2-93

2. Immediate execution and how to stay it

2-93

3. Important decisional rules on unlawful detainer

2-94

J. Contempt 2-96

1. Two kinds of contempt

2-97

2. Two aspects of contempt

2-97

3. Decisions

2-97

4. Necessity of hearing

2-97

5. Contempt by non-party

2-98

6.

Power to punish for contempt to be exercised in preservative not vindictive principle; what constitutes disobedience

2-98

ANNEX: TABLES 2-99

Table 1

Differences among Provisional Remedies

Table 2

Basic Characteristics of Provisional Remedies

Table 3

Differences of Bonds in Provisional Remedies

Table 4

Differences of Counterbonds in Provisional Remedies

Table 5

Differences among the Modes of Appeal

Table 6

Differences between Certiorari , Prohibition and Mandamus

Table 7

Differences between Prohibition and Injunction

Table 8

Differences between Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer.

SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

I.

INTRODUCTION

3-1

A.

Definition of Terms

3-1

B.

Rules That Govern Special Proceedings

3-4

C.

The Special Proceedings Provided in the Rules of Court

3-5

D.

Special Proceedings Under Various Laws

3-5

E.

Jurisdiction of Family Courts

3-6

II.

SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF DECEASED PERSONS

3-8

A.

In General

3-8

1.

Jurisdiction and venue

3-8

2.

Kinds of settlement

3-9

3.

Extrajudicial settlement

3-9

4.

Summary settlement of estates of small value

3-10

5.

Judicial settlement with letters testamentary or with letters of administration

3-11

B.

Probate of Wills

3-12

1.

Will, explained

3-12

2.

Time to submit to the court

3-13

3.

Procedure in the probate of a will

3-14

C.

Executors and Administrators

3-17

1.

Requirements For The Issuance of Letters Testamentary and of Letters of Administration

3-17

2.

Appointment of Executors (who may become executors)

3-17

3.

Appointment of administrators; priorities

3-18

4.

Appointment of special administrators

3-18

5.

Bond of administrator or executor

3-20

6.

General powers and duties of executors and administrators

3-21

7.

Inventory and appraisal

3-21

8.

Sales and mortgages

3-22

9.

Actions by and against executors and administrators

3-24

10.

Money claims against the estate; notice to creditors

3-26

11.

Payment of debts

3-29

12

Accountability and compensation of executors and administrators

3-31

D.

Distribution and Partition

3-34

1.

When distribution is made

3-34

2.

Partial distribution, when paying estate taxes

3-35

3.

Expenses of partition

3-35

4.

Project of partition

3-35

5.

Final order of partition; recording of order of partition of estate

3-35

III.

GUARDIANS

3-36

A.

Necessity for guardianship

3-36

1.

“Incompetent” as subject of guardianship

3-36

2.

Parents as guardians

3-36

B.

Jurisdiction and Venue

3-36

1.

Where to file petition for guardianship

3-36

2.

Transfer of venue

3-37

C.

Petition for Guardianship

3-37

1.

Who may file

3-37

2.

Contents of petition

3-37

3.

Notice of hearing

3-37

4.

Grounds for opposition

3-38

5.

Order

3-38

6.

Guardian for the estate of a non-resident

3-38

D.

Guardian’s Bond

3-38

1.

New bond

3-38

2.

Bond to be filed; actions thereon

3-38

E.

General Powers and Duties

3-39

F.

Sale or Encumbrance

3-40

G.

Petition for Termination of Guardianship

3-40

IV.

ADOPTION

3-41

A.

Governing Laws

3-41

B.

Petition for Adoption

3-43

1.

Who may adopt

3-43

2.

Jurisdictional venue

3-44

3.

Subjects of adoption

3-44

4.

Aliens

3-44

5.

Joint adoption

3-45

6.

Age difference

3-45

7.

Procedure

3-45

8.

Civil registry record

3-48

9.

Confidential nature of proceedings

3-48

10.

Service of judgment

3-48

C.

Rescission of Adoption

3-49

1.

Grounds for rescission

3-49

2.

Who may file

3-49

3.

Time to file petition

3-49

4.

Procedure

3-49

5.

Service of judgment

3-50

D.

Inter-Country Adoption

3-50

1.

Adoption by aliens

3-50

2.

The law and the implementing rules and regulations

3-50

3.

The process

3-50

4.

A legally free child

3-50

5.

Adopters

3-51

6.

Application

3-51

7.

Functions of the RTC

3-51

8.

Resident Aliens

3-51

9.

Case rulings

3-52

V.

CUSTODY OF MINORS

3-53

A.

Jurisdiction

3-53

B.

Children Under Seven Years of Age

3-53

C.

Child Abuse

3-53

1.

Protective custody

3-54

2.

Special court proceedings

3-54

3.

When parents are separated

3-54

D.

Special Provisional Remedies

3-55

1.

Restraining order

3-55

2.

Temporary custody

3-55

3.

Support pendente lite

3-56

E.

Foster Care

3-56

F.

Dependent, Abandoned or Neglected Children

3-56

1.

Involuntary commitment

3-56

2.

Voluntary commitment

3-56

3.

Various other provisions

3-57

4.

Special children

3-57

VI.

HABEAS CORPUS

3-58

A.

Definition and Nature

3-58

B.

Functions and Scope of Writ

3-58

C.

Grounds for Relief

3-58

1.

Deprivation of fundamental or constitutional rights

3-58

2.

Lack of jurisdiction of the court to impose the sentence

3-58

3.

Excessive penalty

3-59

D.

Power to Grant Writ; Enforceability

3-59

E.

Requisites of Application

3-59

F.

Procedure (issuance of writ and return)

3-59

G

Discharge of Person Detained

3-59

VII.

ESCHEATS

3-60

A.

Meaning

3-60

B.

Procedure

3-60

1.

When filed

3-60

2.

Who files petition

3-60

3.

Where filed

3-60

4.

Contents of petition

3-60

5.

Order of hearing

3-61

6.

Publication

3-61

7.

Judgment

3-61

C.

Permanent Trust

3-61

D.

Claim Within Five Years

3-62

E.

Other Actions For Escheat

3-62

VIII.

CHANGE OF NAME

3-63

A.

Name Defined

3-63

1.

Minor

3-63

2.

Resident aliens

3-63

B.

Procedure

3-63

1.

Venue

3-63

2.

Petition

3-63

3.

Hearing

3-64

C.

Case Rulings

3-64

1.

Joinder or causes of action

3-64

2.

Resumption of use of maiden name after divorce

3-64

3.

Absence of cause

3-64

4.

Causes for change of name

3-64

5.

Erasing signs of former nationality

3-65

6.

Resulting confusion

3-65

7.

Improving personality or social standing

3-65

8.

Legitimate minor child

3-65

IX.

ABSENTEES

3-67

A.

Basic Concepts

3-67

1.

Provisional representative

3-67

2.

Trustee or administrator

3-67

3.

Notice and publication required

3-67

4.

Preferences

3-67

5.

Termination

3-67

X.

CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY

XI

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE FAMILY CODE

3-69

A.

Summary Proceedings Under the Family Code

3-69

1.

Rationale

3-69

2.

Procedural rules

3-69

3.

Coverage

3-69

4.

Procedure

3-70

XII

TRUSTEES

3-72

A.

Basic Concepts

3-72

1.

Appointment

3-72

2.

Venue

3-72

3.

Notice

3-72

4.

Bond, inventory and sale of trust estate

3-72

XIII

PROCEEDINGS FOR THE HOSPITALIZATION OF INSANE PERSONS

3-73

XIV

OTHER SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

3-74

A.

Voluntary Distribution of Corporations

3-74

B.

Judicial Approval of Voluntary Recognition of Minor Natural Children

3-75

C.

Constitution of the Family Home

3-77

XV

APPEALS IN SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS

3-78

A.

Appealability

3-78

B.

Who May Appeal

3-78

C.

Perfection of Appeal

3-79

D.

Advanced Distribution

3-80

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART ONE

PROCEURE IN TRIAL COURTS

I.

JURISDICTION IN CRIMINAL CASES

4-1

A.

Introduction

4-1

1.

Criminal jurisdiction defined

4-1

2.

Elements

4-1

B.

Requisites For Its Valid Exercise

4-1

C.

Jurisdiction Determined by Allegations of Complaint or Information

4-2

D.

Jurisdiction Over Complex Crimes

4-3

E.

Crimes Punishable by Destierro

4-3

II.

TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION

4-4

A.

General Rule

4-4

B.

Jurisdiction Over the Person of Accused

4-4

C.

Criminal Jurisdiction of Municipal Trial Courts

4-4

D.

Cases Governed by the Summary Rules

4-8

E.

Cases Governed by the Regular Rules

4-8

F.

Damage to Property Through Criminal Negligence

4-11

G.

Special Jurisdiction in Certain Cases

4-11

III.

PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES

4-12

A.

Institution of Criminal Action

412

1.

Prosecution of offenses is instituted either by complaint or information

4-12

2.

Procedure for institution of criminal actions

4-12

3.

Who must prosecute criminal actions

4-13

4.

Recovery of civil liability

4-13

5.

Prosecution of private crimes

4-13

B.

Distinction Between Control of Prosecution and Control of Court

4-14

1.

Control by prosecution

4-14

2.

Control by court once case is filed

4-14

3.

Limitations on control by court

4-15

C.

Testing Sufficiency of Complaint or Information

4-15

D.

Strict Scrutiny in Heinous Crimes

4-16

1.

Cause of the accusation

4-16

E.

Duplicity of the Offense and Continuing Crimes

4-17

1.

Duplicity of the offense

4-17

2.

Continuing crimes: the principle of delito continuado

4-18

3.

Exceptions to rule on duplicity

4-20

4.

Rule on complex crimes

4-20

5.

No duplicity in rape with homicide

4-21

6.

No duplicity in charge of estafa

4-21

7.

Illegal possession of firearm and unlawful killing with the use thereof

4-22

8.

Reckless imprudence cases

4-23

9.

Amendment or substitution

4-23

III.

PROSECUTION OF CIVIL ACTION

4-24

A.

Basic Rule

4-24

B.

Civil Actions not Based on Crime not Extinguished

4-25

C.

Criminal Actions to Recover Civil Liability Arising from Delict and Civil Actions Based on Quasi-Delict may proceed Simultaneously

4-26

D.

Extinction of the Penal does not Carry with it Extinction of the Civil

4-27

IV.

PROCEDURAL CHECKLISTS ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

4-28

A.

For Cases Cognizable by the Municipal Trial Courts

4-28

Checklist I - Things to check/do upon receipt of complaint or information

4-28

When Case is for Preliminary Investigation

4-28

When Case is for Trial on the Merits

4-29

Checklist II - Things to check/do after the issuance of arrest warrant and before trial stage

4-32

B.

For Cases Cognizable by the Regional Trial Courts

4-32

Checklist I - Things to do upon receipt of complaint or information up to issuance of the warrant of arrest

4-34

Checklist II - Incidents after issuance of warrant of arrest or commitment order

4-35

C.

Common Procedures in First and Second Level Courts

4-39

Checklist I - Things to do at the arraignment of the accused

4-39

Checklist II - Pre-Trial

4-42

Things to do during the pre-trial conference

4-42

When there is plea bargaining

4-43

When there is no plea bargaining

4-44

Checklist III - What to do after pre-trial to initial trial

4-46

Ten Commandments for a Judge on Applications for Bail

4-48

Checklist IV - Incidents during trial

4-50

What to do when there is application to discharge accused to be state witness

4-50

Effects of discharge

4-53

When a motion/petition to suspend a criminal action based upon the alleged pendency of a prejudicial question in a civil action is filed in the criminal action

4-54

What a judge should do if accused is reported to have died

4-56

What a judge should do in case a motion for disqualification or inhibition is filed

4-57

V.

CONDUCTING THE TRIAL

4-60

A.

Supreme Court Circulars

4-60

B.

Compliance with Periods

4-60

C.

Pertinent Rules

4-61

1.

Time to prepare for trial

4-61

2.

Continuous trial until terminated; postponements

4-61

3.

Exclusions

4-61

4.

Factors for granting continuance

4-63

5.

Time limit following an order for new trial

4-63

6.

Extended time limit

4-64

7.

Public attorney’s duties when accused is imprisoned

4-64

8.

Sanctions

4-65

9.

Remedy where accused is not brought to trial within the time limit

4-65

10.

Law on speedy trial not a bar to provision on speedy trial in the Constitution

4-66

11.

Order of trial

4-66

D.

How to Deal with Accused’s Motion for Examination of his/her Witness before Trial

4-66

E.

How to Deal with Prosecution’s Motion for Examination of its Witness before Trial

4-68

F.

If a Motion for Confinement of an Accused in a Mental Hospital is Filed

4-69

G.

Demurrer to Evidence

4-70

Checklist - Steps to Take When Demurrer to Evidence is Filed

4-70

VI.

JUDGMENT

4-72

A.

Definition

4-72

Checklist - Steps to Take in Rendering Judgment

4-72

B.

Extent of Damages Awarded in Civil Liability Arising from Crimes

4-74

C.

Promulgation of Judgment

4-75

D.

Modification of Judgment

4-77

E.

Entry of Judgment

4-77

VII.

MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL OR RECONSIDERATION

4-78

A.

Grounds for New Trial

4-78

B.

Ground for Reconsideration

4-78

C.

Form of Motion for a New Trial or Reconsideration

4-78

D.

Steps to Take

4-79

Checklist I - Steps from Filing of Application to Referral Thereof to Probation Officer

4-79

SampleProbation Court Forms

4-81

Checklist II - Steps from receipt of Post-Sentence Investigation Report to issuance of Probation Order

4-84

Checklist III - How to Deal with Incidents During Probation

4-85

Sample forms Revoking/Modifying Conditions of Probation

4-88

VIII.

ISSUANCE OF SEARCH WARRANTS

4-91

A.

Rule on Forum Shopping

4-91

B.

Meaning of Probable Cause

4-92

C.

Basis of Probable Cause; Personal Knowledge

4-92

1.

Meaning of knowledge; test is liability for perjury

4-92

2.

Insufficiency of affidavits

4-93

3.

Prudente v. Hon. Executive Judge A.M. Dayrit

4-93

4.

Factors that may be considered in determination of probable cause

4-94

5.

The need of competent proof of particular acts or specific omissions

4-95

6.

Probable cause to be determined only by judge

4-96

7.

Manner of examination

4-97

8.

Examination is heard ex-parte and may be done in chambers but action must be expedited

4-97

9.

The need for searching questions and answers by the judge

4-98

10.

Requisite of particular description of things to be seized

4-99

11.

Tests to determine Particularity

4-100

12.

Description of place to be seized

4-100

13.

Determination of whether search warrant describes premises with particularity

4-101

IX.

PROVISIONAL REMEDIES

4-102

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PART TWO

PROCEDURE IN SANDIGANBAYAN

I.

STAGES TN CRIMINAL CASES

4-103

II.

CIVIL CASES

4-105

III.

PROCEDURE ON APPEALED CASES

4-106

EVIDENCE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND SPECIAL PROBLEMS

I.

WHEN EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY

5-1

II.

ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE

5-2

A.

Axiom of Admissibility of Evidence

5-2

B.

Proper Presentation of Evidence

5-3

1.

Object evidence

5-3

2.

Oral evidence

5-3

3.

Documentary evidence

5-4

C.

Formal Offer of Evidence; Need for Statement of the Purpose of Evidence

5-5

III.

MODES OF EXCLUDING INADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE

5-7

A.

Evidence is objected to at the time it is offered and not before

5-7

B.

Motion to strike out answer to testimony

5-7

C.

Objections and Ruling

5-8

IV.

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR EVIDENCE

5-12

A.

Judicial Notice

5-12

1.

Mandatory and discretionary judicial notice

5-12

2.

Hearing the parties on discretionary judicial notice

5-13

3.

Judicial notice of proceedings in another case

5-13

B.

Admissions: Judicial and Extra-Judicial

5-14

C.

Best Evidence Rule

5-17

D.

Parol Evidence Rule

5-19

E.

Admissibility of Extra-Judicial Confessions

5-19

F.

Examination of Witnesses

5-21

G.

Authentication and Proof of Documents

5-24

H.

Tender of Excluded Evidence

5-26

JUDICIAL ETHICS

I.

THE ROLE OF THE JUDGE

6-1

II

ETHICAL RULES OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT

6-3

1.

Necessity and Sources of Judicial Ethics

6-3

2.

Ethical Rules Relating to Competence

6-3

3.

Ethical Rules Relating to Independence

6-9

4.

Ethical Rules Relating to Integrity

6-13

5.

Social Justice

6-15

JUDICIAL REASONING, WRITING AND RESEARCH: JUDICIAL REASONING

I.

METHODS OF REASONING

7-1

1.

Analogy

7-1

2.

Induction

7-2

3.

Deduction

7-2

II.

FREQUENTLY COMMITTED FALLACIES

7-3

1.

Misplaced authority

7-3

2.

Post hoc, ergopropter hoc

7-3

3.

Tu quoque

7-3

4.

Dicta simpliciter

7-3

5.

Argumentum adpopulum

7-3

6.

Argumentum ad baculum

7-3

III.

THE LOGICAL FLOW IN CASE ANALYSIS

7-4

JUDICIAL REASONING, WRITING AND RESEARCH: JUDICIAL WRITNG

I.

INTRODUCTION

7-7

II.

POINTERS FOR JUDICIAL WRITING

7-7

1.

The Three “Cs” in Judicial Writing

7-7

1.1

Use of single words in place of several words

7-8

1.2

Diction

7-8

1.3

Spell words correctly

7-13

1.4

Verbs not followed by prepositions

7-13

2.

Writing Style

7-13

2.1

Stages of writing process

7-13

2.2

Pointers on style

7-14

2.3

Effective sentences

7-20

JUDICIAL REASONING, WRITING AND RESEARCH: GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS

GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS 7-25

JUDICIAL REASONING, WRITING AND RESEARCH: JUDICIAL RESEARCH

I.

INTRODUCTION

7-29

II.

CONDUCTING LEGAL RESEARCH

7-29

1.

Critical Fact-Related Steps that Must Precede Research in Law Books

7-29

1.1

Gathering the facts

7-29

1.2

Analyzing the facts — the TARP rule

7-30

1.3

Identifying the legal issues

7-30

1.4

Organizing the legal issues in a logical order

7-30

1.5

Doing legal research

7-31

2.

Law Finding Techniques

7-31

2.1

Approaches

7-31

3.

Classifying the Issues Involved in the Problem

7-31

4.

Finding the Law

7-31

4.1

Sources of law

7-31

5.

Research in Statutory Law

7-34

5.1

Constitution

7-34

5.2

Treaties and international agreements

7-35

5.3

Statutes proper

7-35

5.4

Administrative regulations and rules

7-37

5.5

Ordinances

7-38

5.6

Court Rules

7-38

5.7

Military rules

7-39

6.

Researching in Case Law

7-39

6.1

Types of case law

7-39

6.2

Supreme Court decisions

7-39

6.3

Court of Appeals decisions

7-40

6.4

Other courts

7-40

6.5

Decisions of administrative agencies and boards

7-40

6.6

American setting

7-40

7.

Reading the Law

7-41

7.1

Internal evaluation

7-42

8.

Updating the Law

7-41

9.

Writing Your Decision

7-42

10

General Pointers in Legal Research

7-42

III.

CONCLUSION

7-43

COURT AND CASE MANAGEMENT: TRIAL COURT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND MEASUREMENT

I

INTRODUCTION

8-1

II

KEY ELEMENTS OF MEASURES

8-1

1.

Methods

8-1

2.

Tools

8-2

3.

People

8-2

III

CREATION OF CORE TEAM

8-2

IV

APPLICATION OF MEASURES

8-3

1.

Court Reviews and Case Data Examination

8-3

2.

Observations and Simulations

8-3

3.

Surveys and Questionnaires

8-4

4.

Interviews

8-4

5.

Group Technique

8-4

COURT AND CASE MANAGEMENT: TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

I.

Concept

8-5

II

Rationale

8-5

III

Organizing a TQM-CORE Team

8-5

1.

Developing Leadership Qualities

8-5

2.

Applying Teamwork Concepts

8-6

3.

Formulating Vision and Mission Statements and Implementing Strategies

8-6

4.

Values

8-7

IV

Setting up an Ideal Climate for TQM Implementation

8-7

1.

The Self-Assessment Process

8-7

2.

Assessment of Facilities

8-8

3.

Regular Evaluation Meetings

8-8

V.

Case Management

8-9

1.

Concept and Purpose

8-9

2.

Objectives of Case Management

8-9

3.

Basic Principles

8-9

4.

Five Steps to Caseflow Management

8-10

5.

Implementing Guidelines

8-11

VI

Records Management

8-12

1.

Concept

8-12

2.

Types of Trial Court Records

8-12

3.

Protection and Preservation of Records

8-13

4.

Destruction of Records

8-14

VII

Pre-Trial as Component of Caseflow Management

8-15

1.

Nature, Concept and Purpose

8-15

2.

Rules on Pre-Trial

8-15

3.

The Mechanics of Pre-Trial

8-15

4.

The Pre-Trial Order

8-18

Annex “A” - Sample Chart for Fast Track System

8-19

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