Creation of Municipal Circuit Courts

Municipal circuit courts shall be formed from existing municipal courts.
The capital of a province is generally not grouped with other municipalities except in lower-class provinces (3rd to 7th class).
Constituent municipalities in a circuit should be contiguous, if possible.
The circuit judge’s official station must be centrally and conveniently located within the circuit.

Circuit courts that include provincial or sub-provincial capitals have the same jurisdiction as municipal courts of such capitals.
Other municipal circuit courts retain the jurisdiction of ordinary municipal courts under existing laws.

All cases from municipalities in a circuit must be heard at the circuit judge’s official station.
The Supreme Court may permit circuit judges to hold sessions elsewhere within the circuit, if the case volume or interest of justice requires.

Implementation of this decree is to be done by the Supreme Court province by province through orders.

Until implementing orders are issued, existing municipal courts continue to function as before.
The most senior municipal judge among those in a circuit is retained as the circuit judge unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise.
The retained judge, with Supreme Court approval, selects court personnel including clerks, stenographers, and interpreters.
The Chief Justice may create or reorganize court positions within appropriations for municipal courts.
Upon implementation, municipal circuit courts commence and the original municipal courts are automatically abolished.
Judges not retained as circuit judges cease office.

Separated municipal judges and employees receive a gratuity equivalent to one month’s salary per year of service, up to 12 months, plus pay for unused leave credits.
They must choose between this gratuity or retirement pension benefits, if applicable.

Cases pending in municipal courts integrated into circuit courts are transferred to and decided by the appropriate circuit court.

The decree does not apply to city courts in chartered cities.
If a chartered city becomes a municipality, it will be grouped into a municipal circuit court.