Duterte signs law expanding jurisdiction of metropolitan and municipal courts of first instance – Manila bulletin

A measure to expand the jurisdiction of the first and second level courts was enacted by President Duterte with the aim of speeding up the resolution of cases.

Under Republic Law 11576, the jurisdiction of the metropolitan courts of first instance, municipal courts of first instance in cities, municipal courts of first instance and municipal courts of first instance will be further extended. The new law, seeking to unclog the roles of these courts, amended the Judicial Reorganization Act of 1980.

Under RA 11576, regional courts of first instance will exercise exclusive jurisdiction in all civil actions involving title or possession of real estate valued at P400,000, from P20,000 to P50,000.

BTI will also have jurisdiction over actions in all maritime and maritime jurisdictions where the claim or claims exceed P2 million as well as all probate matters, both testamentary and intestate, when the gross value of the estate exceeds P2. millions. The previous jurisdictional threshold varied between 100,000 and 200,000 P.

On the jurisdiction of metropolitan courts of first instance, municipal courts of first instance in cities, municipal courts of first instance and municipal courts of first instance in civil cases, they will exercise jurisdiction over civil actions and proceedings of probate, wills and intestate when the value of the personal property, the estate or the amount of the claim does not exceed P2 million.

These courts will also be competent for all civil actions involving the title or possession of real estate or any interest whose estimated value does not exceed 400,000 P. The admiralty and maritime actions where the demand or claim does not exceed P2 millions will also be under the jurisdiction of these courts.

The new law also included a provision on the delegated power of the Supreme Court to adjust adjudication amounts for first and second level courts.

The law, signed by the President on July 30, comes into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Journal or in two newspapers.