Law Summary
Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs) and Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs, MTCs in Cities, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts) in Civil Cases
- These courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings with personal property or estate value, or amount of demand, not exceeding P2,000,000.00, excluding interest, damages, attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs.
- The jurisdictional threshold pertains to the totality of claims across multiple causes of action in a single complaint.
- They have exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions involving title or possession of real property where the assessed value does not exceed P400,000.00.
- For land not declared for taxation, property value is determined by the assessed value of adjacent lots.
- These courts also handle admiralty and maritime cases with claims not exceeding P2,000,000.00.
Delegated Authority of the Supreme Court to Adjust Jurisdictional Amounts
- The Supreme Court can adjust jurisdictional thresholds for first and second level courts to reflect:
- Significant inflation or deflation.
- Changes in land valuation.
- Maintain proper caseload distribution between court levels.
- This adjustment is without prejudice to Congressional power to amend these amounts.
Application of the Act
- The expanded jurisdiction provisions apply prospectively to all civil cases filed in first and second level courts after the Act’s effectivity.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, it shall not affect the validity or effectivity of the remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Laws, decrees, and orders inconsistent with this Act are amended or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.