MANILA, Philippines – All courts in areas under General Community Quarantine classification will be physically open starting Wednesday, the Supreme Court said. “All courts in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) shall be physically opened to court users. ADVERTISEMENTUnder the Circular, all hearings in both criminal and civil cases in regional trial courts, family courts, and first-level courts shall be fully “in-court” except when a person deprived of liberty is involved, or under exceptional circumstances where fully-remote videoconferencing hearings may be conducted. “The Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals shall continue to resolve and decide cases pending before them. “All the other offices and services of the Court shall be physically opened and may operate with a skeleton staff of not less than fifty percent,’ it said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 18, 2020 13:18 UTC