SC mandates e-filings for select cases from July

Starting next month, lawyers who wish to file certain cases before the Supreme Court will be required to use an electronic system in addition to traditional paper-based methods.

High court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting announced that this shift is part of the Supreme Court's transition to a fully digital e-court system, which begins on July 1 and continues until September 30.

During this period, lawyers must file cases digitally through the eCourt PH app on the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP), while also allowing paper-based filings via personal delivery or mail for petitions for review under Rule 45 of the Rules of Civil Procedure and other specific types such as those involving writs, habeas corpus actions, and quo warranto actions.

By October 1, physical filings will no longer be accepted, with the SC emphasizing that this change will expedite case proceedings by reducing service times for pleadings and resolutions.

The Supreme Court has assured robust security measures to protect data privacy during the transition, limiting access currently to involved lawyers and court officials.

Lawyers must also electronically file any subsequent pleadings in pending cases covered by the eFiling directive through the PJP starting July 1.