SC Issues 2025 Transitory Rules on Electronic Filing and Service

The Supreme Court En Banc has formally adopted the 2025 Transitory Rules on Electronic Filing and Service in the Supreme Court (A.M. No. 25-09-16-SC), which will take effect on October 30, 2025. These Rules mandate the exclusive use of the Judiciary’s electronic filing system (eCourt PH) for all covered filers and covered cases, replacing conventional filing methods except in limited, expressly allowed situations. Until the effectivity date, the existing Transition Guidelines remain in force.

Beginning October 30, 2025, all members of the Philippine Bar must file and serve pleadings electronically through verified accounts on the Philippine Judiciary Platform (https://portal.juduciary.gov.ph). Filings made outside the system without Court authorization will be deemed not filed and will not interrupt reglementary deadlines. 

The Rules specify limited exceptions. The “excluded cases,” which shall continue to be governed by existing rules of procedure, include appeals in all criminal cases pursuant to Rule 122; administrative complaints against personnel, justices, or judges of various court levels (including the Supreme Court, CA, CTA, and Sandiganbayan); complaints against lawyers and other Bar matters; and all cases within the jurisdiction of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. Non-covered filers may still use traditional modes but must generally email a digital copy to the Court within 24 hours.

Strict compliance with the technical specifications outlined in the Rules is non-negotiable, as noncompliance due to lack of technical capacity or volume of documents is not excusable. All electronic filings must exclusively be in the Portable Document Format (PDF) or Portable Document Format Archive (PDF/A). Pleadings must adhere to a specific format: single space, 1.5-line spacing between paragraphs, an easily readable 14-point font, and 8.5 x 13 inches paper size. Digital files that are password-protected, encrypted, contain embedded executable code/scripts, are archive files, or are corrupted will be deemed not filed and excluded from the case rollo. Furthermore, the filing of digital copies not in accordance with the prescribed format may subject the filing party, lawyer, or law firm to disciplinary action or appropriate sanctions. The Rules also require exclusive electronic service of pleadings and Court issuances, with service deemed complete based on system timestamps. Lawyers are individually accountable for all filings made through their registered accounts and must regularly monitor the platform for updates.