Justice Within Reach with Small Claims Court

Through the great efforts of the Supreme Court special rule of procedure to help our fellow Filipino to air their grievances and fight for their rights conveniently in a more affordable platform, the justice system shares its solution via the Small Claims Court.


In a press conference, which was held at Makati last week, Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez explained that the Supreme Court hopes to increase the access to justice of indigent and disadvantaged Filipinos through the inexpensiveness, accessibility and expediency of the Small Claims Court.


This program is a pioneering effort of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) to improve access to justice for indigent Filipinos and has been in effect since October 2008.

Branch 67, Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court Presiding Judge Jackie Crisologo was also there to help explain this program to us. And according to her the Small Claims Court can hear and decide civil claims amounting to P100,000 and below, not including interests and costs. Ordinary litigants can prosecute and defend a Small Claims Case without the participation of lawyers.


From damaged property to money owed, Small Claims Court hear such cases and gives verdict withing the day. Here 's a clip that they prepared for easier understanding.


It is clearly stated that claims filed under these courts include actual damages to vehicles, other personal property, real property and person; money owed under a contract of lease, loan, services, sale or mortgage; and civil actions such as payment of money covered by bounced or stopped checks.

And to guide us well, Mr. Marquez and Judge Crisologo shared to us the four steps in filing a case to Small Claims Court. The purpose of the Small Claims four-step process is to provide an efficient means for the masses to settle disputes involving monetary claims instead of the regular civil process.


“Most Filipinos have a misconception that taking disputes to court is time-consuming and costly, and thus, justice is only afforded to the affluent. In the Small Claims Court, the process is simple, the settlement is done face-to-face and justice is achieved quickly,” said Marquez.

First, the claimant must file the documents, evidences and affidavit needed for your cases at the Clerk of Court in your municipality. 

Second, he or she must pay the Php1,000.00 fee per claim for indigents. Additional fees may be charged for non-indigent claimants.

Third, claimant must wait for the “summons of hearing” as the case is being raffled by the court. Once called, one should appear before the designated Small Claims Court on the hearing date for the final decision and settlement mandated by the judge.

The process allows the parties to handle their own case from beginning to end with ready-made forms and non-strict procedural rules, without the need of a lawyer.

In the Small Claims Courts, judges pass decisions based on facts presented and evidence elicited in a single hearing. Prior to the hearing the case on merit, judges attempt to convince parties to arrive at an amicable settlement in the barangay as decisions made through the Small Claims Courts are final and cannot be appealed.

All first level courts which include Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts are designated as Small Claims Courts.





1 comment

Elmer Domingo said...

This is a very clever and noble idea. I just hope they'll be able to sustain it :)