Supreme Court Starts Shift to Digital Filing on July 1

Big changes are coming to the Philippine court system as the Supreme Court moves forward with its plan to go digital. Beginning July 1, 2025, lawyers will need to file certain pleadings and motions electronically through the eCourt PH app, which is part of the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP) accessible at https://portal.judiciary.gov.ph.

This step is based on new guidelines the Supreme Court approved last May to prepare everyone for the full shift to mandatory eFiling by October 1 this year. For now, between July and September, lawyers still have to file both digital and paper copies for covered cases.

Which cases are included? These cover a range of petitions like Rule 45 appeals, Rule 64 reviews, certiorari and prohibition cases under Rule 65, contempt, prerogative writs such as habeas corpus and amparo, plus quo warranto cases. Any related motions, like requests for a temporary restraining order, must also be filed online.

However, not everything is going digital yet. Criminal appeals, complaints against court staff, and some electoral tribunal cases will continue to follow the usual filing procedures. Also, people filing cases without a lawyer, law students, and Shari’ah counselors who aren’t part of the Philippine Bar will still need to submit paperwork in person or by mail.

Lawyers must sign up for an account on the PJP to use eCourt PH. It is important to remember that whatever is filed under an account is considered the work of the account holder, so sharing accounts is strictly forbidden and can lead to disciplinary measures.

Once October 1 arrives, eFiling will be compulsory for all covered pleadings. Mistakes in filing might be tolerated during the transition, but after that, errors could mean immediate dismissal or rejection of a pleading.

This push toward digital filing is part of the Supreme Court’s broader plan to modernize court processes under its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027. By cutting down paperwork and shifting tasks online, the courts hope to make justice faster and more accessible for everyone.

If you run into trouble with the new system, help is available. There are hotlines and emails dedicated to PJP and eCourt PH issues. You can find all the contact details on the Judiciary Portal or reach out directly during office hours.

This is just one step toward building a more efficient and responsive Philippine justice system, and a reminder for everyone in the legal field to embrace technology and adapt.