Operationalizing the right to speedy trial: A discussion on the applicability of limine hearings to civil and criminal proceedings in the Philippines
Date of Publication
2018
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Juris Doctor
Subject Categories
Civil Law | Criminal Law
College
College of Law
Department/Unit
Law
Thesis Adviser
Anne Perpetual Rivera Sia
Abstract/Summary
The Supreme Court has recognized that case congestion and delays plague most courts in cities, given the huge volume of cases filed each year and the slow and cumbersome adversarial system that the judiciary has in place. Several jurisprudence have exemplified the detrimental effects of protracted and lengthy disposition of cases – most especially in criminal proceedings where the life and liberty of the accused is most affected. Litigants in the country are guaranteed the constitutional right to speedy trial. It is nevertheless, admitted by the Supreme Court that this right must contend with the realities of everyday life, and thus, is a relative term and a flexible concept. This study looks into the applicability of a motion in limine in the Philippines as a remedy available to parties to minimize delay and ensure speedy trial. It likewise discussed how a liminial motion is complementary and supplementary to the current judicial reform programs on procedure made by the Supreme Court. In essence, a motion in limine (“on or at the threshold” or “in the beginning”) is a remedy filed by a counsel to prevent the introduction of improper evidence. This allows the judge to make a ruling as to the admissibility of evidence, “at the threshold” – that is, during pre-trial. The remedy complements the current rules on Pre-Trial which mandates that all evidence to be presented must be marked during Pre-Trial otherwise, such is inadmissible. It likewise complements the current Judicial Affidavit Rule which mandates that judicial affidavits must be submitted not more than five days before Pre-Trial. Thus, upon pre-trial, the litigants are already well-aware of the evidence to be presented by the opposing party – be it documentary, object or testimonial evidence. It is therefore proper to consider a motion in limine as an available remedy in order to facilitate the speedy disposition of the admissibility of evidence and thresh out all improper and inadmissible evidence during trial.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Accession Number
CDTG007470; TG07470
Shelf Location
Archives, The Learning Common's, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall
Keywords
Speedy trial--Philippines; Criminal procedure--Philippines; Civil procedure--Philippines
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Recommended Citation
Lazatin, R. P., San Juan, P. D., & Ting, K. T. (2018). Operationalizing the right to speedy trial: A discussion on the applicability of limine hearings to civil and criminal proceedings in the Philippines. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/7254
Embargo Period
11-15-2024
Note
Undated; Publication/creation date supplied