Jurisdiction Flashcards: First Level Courts

Study Notes

First Level Courts

Trial courts located in every city and municipality in the Philippines.
Known as Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTC), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC), Municipal Trial Courts (MTC), and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC).
MeTCs serve the Metropolitan Manila area, while MTCCs and MTCs cater to cities and municipalities, respectively.
MCTCs cover multiple municipalities.
Governed by rules regarding Summary Procedure and Ejectment Cases.

Second Level Courts

Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) act as Second Level Courts across thirteen judicial regions in the Philippines.
Each region has a varying number of RTCs as mandated by law.
Formerly known as Courts of First Instance; name change occurred due to the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980.

Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)

Comprises one Presiding Justice and eight Associate Justices.
Can convene en banc or in divisions, typically with three justices per division.
Decisions from divisions can be appealed to the CTA En Banc; further appeals possible to the Supreme Court via a verified petition for certiorari.

Court of Appeals

Composed of one Presiding Justice and 68 Associate Justices appointed by the President from a Judicial and Bar Council shortlist.
Possesses original jurisdiction to issue various writs including mandamus and habeas corpus.
Exclusive original jurisdiction for annulment of RTC judgments.
Holds exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final decisions from RTCs and quasi-judicial entities.

The Supreme Court

Exercises original jurisdiction for cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and various legal petitions like certiorari and habeas corpus.
Also holds original jurisdiction for writs of amparo, habeas data, and the environmental writ of kalikasan.

Additional Responsibilities of the Supreme Court

Appellate jurisdiction includes reviewing and modifying lower court judgments, particularly regarding constitutional validity, tax legality, jurisdictional issues, and significant criminal cases.
Administers oversight of all courts and personnel through the Office of the Court Administrator.

Constitutional Court

Only one in the Philippines, created by the Constitution, focused on constitutional law.
Evaluates challenges to laws for potential unconstitutionality.
Functions independently from legislative control, maintaining the separation of powers.

Statutory Courts

Created by law, statutory courts hold jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters as prescribed by legislation.
Include both original and appellate jurisdiction in their operational scope.

Superior Courts

Classification and specific jurisdiction details not provided.
Typically refer to higher levels of courts within a legal system.

Description

Test your knowledge on the First Level Courts in the Philippines with these flashcards. Learn about the various types of courts such as MeTC, MTCC, MTC, and MCTC. This quiz is ideal for students studying law and local governance.