Civil

University of the Philippines COLLEGE OF LAW Diliman, Quezon City CIVIL PROCEDURE GUIDELINES FOR FIELD OBSERVATION I. Requirements Each member of the class is expected to have complied with the FIELD OBSERVATION EXERCISES by participating as an observer in the proceedings listed in the Outline and to SUBMIT the corresponding FIELD OBSERVATION REPORTS at least one (1) week before the scheduled final examinations: II. Guidelines In conducting this field work, please observe strictly the following GUIDELINES: 1. READ and UNDERSTAND the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court or law (and, if possible, cases assigned in the outline) before undertaking the field work; have a clear idea of what the pertinent Rule provides. 2. Ensure AT ALL TIMES that PROPER DECORUM inside the court room or any other place is observed. 3. Wear appropriate attire (by this is meant–no sleeveless shirts, shorts and slippers for men and no shorts, tank tops, unreasonably short skirts or other similar outfits for women)–you are there to observe, not to be observed. 4. Always ask permission from the Clerk of Court or the responsible officer of the Branch or the venue BEFORE observing so that the Court or agency is aware of your presence and the purpose of your attendance. If necessary, ask permission from the Presiding Judge or the person in charge. COMPLY STRICTLY with any instructions given by the person in charge, the clerk of court and/or presiding judge. 5. No photographs are required; if you find it necessary, you may tape the proceedings only for your own purposes, subject to permission of the Clerk of Court/Judge. 6. While it is not required, it may be helpful for you to talk with any of the parties involved (Judge, counsel, parties) to gain a deeper understanding of the what the case/proceeding is all about. Before interviewing or talking to any of the parties or counsels involved in the cases/proceedings, make sure that the purpose of your interview has been explained fully and that the other party understands clearly your purpose. Observe sensitivity in dealing with the parties involved; respect any requests for privacy. 7. Any information from the cases/proceedings should be treated as STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED and should not be discussed outside the classroom; if it is necessary to discuss any information obtained from the

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cases/proceedings observed, do it in private or in the classroom during class hours. 8. DO NOT FORGET to have the Clerk of Court or other responsible officer sign your Attendance Sheet (ANNEX A). III. Field Observation Reports/Guide Questions There is no required format for the Field Observation Reports, except that they must be typewritten or printed on short bond paper and signed by the observer; there is no required length either. However, the Field Observation Reports for each case/proceeding observed must contain the following basic information: A. Case particulars (include the title of the case, its number, the branch number and venue, the offense involved as stated in the Information, the parties involved (to include the Judge, and the counsels) and any other information relating to the case); B. Brief Summary of Events (include a short factual description of what you observed during the proceedings. C. Comments (include your thoughts on what you observed, based on, but not limited to the following GUIDE QUESTIONS: Q1. How faithfully were the Rules of Court complied with by the court insofar as the particular proceedings you observed? Q2. If the court departed from the procedure in the Rules, what did it do differently? How did this departure affect the manner by which the proceedings were conducted? Was the legal or factual basis for the departure clear to you? Q3. Was the Judge conducting the proceedings well-versed in the procedure? Were the lawyers representing the parties well-versed in the procedure? Were the parties involved aware of the procedure? Q4. In cases involving minors, were the rules on protection of minors observed?); D. Insights (include your own personal views and observations of the proceedings you observed, placing emphasis on your reactions to the differences (if any) between the law, as written, and the law, as applied, and what you have learned, in the process; include also your own observations and reactions as to any changes you may think are necessary); E. Attachments (if any are relevant); The Field Observation Reports are to be accomplished individually but the field work may be done in groups. Please ensure that group size is reasonable so as not to unduly burden the court; for purposes of field work, a maximum of four (4) to a group is considered reasonable. A caveat on decorum: professional conduct on your part is encouraged so that unprofessional conduct against you is avoided. All cases involving violation of RA 7877 or Art. 336, RPC committed by court personnel (including the Judge), police or jail authorities (where relevant) or by counsels during any activity conducted under this requirement must be reported to the Professor, which reports shall be treated with utmost

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delicacy and confidentiality, and shall be dealt with as the law provides.

ATTENDANCE SHEET This certifies that M___________________________ attended and observed the proceedings described below, as described:

______________________ Signature