Civpro Reviewer

CIVPRO(Riano,Herrera,RulesofCourt)W.A.Y.NOTES

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CLASSIFICATIONOFORDINARYCIVILACTIONS1. Astocauseorfoundation

a. RealAction–foundedonprivityofrealestateandseekstorecovera specific real property or its possession. Affects TOPPFI (title,ownership,possession,partition,foreclosure,interest).Examples: Unlawful detainer, forcible entry, accion publiciana,accionreinvindicatoria,quietingoftitleorremovalofacloud.

b. PersonalAction–foundedonprivityofcontractortherecoveryofpersonalpropertyordamages.Examples: Declaration of nullity of marriage, annulment ofcancellation of award over a property, recovery of personalproperty.

2. Astoobject

a. Inpersonam – Claim against a particular person. Binding only tothe parties. Examples: Recovery of real property, sum ofmoney,reconveyance.

b. InRem–Directedagainstthethingitself.Bindinguponthewholeworld.Examples:Landregistration,probateofawill,annulmentofmarriage.

c. Quasiinrem–Broughtagainstthedefendantpersonallyalthoughthe real object is to deal with a particular property. Jurisdictionover the person of the defendant NOT necessary. Service ofsummonsisrequiredonlyforthepurposeofcomplyingwithdueprocess.Examples:Attachment,foreclosureofmortgage,partition.

IMPORTANCEOFCLASSIFICATIONOFACTIONS Thelawonjurisdiction,therulesonvenue,prescription,defensesagainsttheaction,paymentof thedocket feeand serviceof summonsdependson thenatureoftheaction.

CAUSEOFACTION(RULE2)v Anactoromissionbywhichapartyviolatesarightofanother.

• Elements(ROVID):o Rightoftheplaintiffo Obligationofthedefendanto Violationofsuchrighto Injuryo Damage

DIFFERENTCAUSESOFACTION

1. Contracts:Proveexistenceofthecontractandthebreachthereof.2. Vicarious liability of an employer (quasi delict): Negligence must be

allegedandproved.NegligenceunderArt.2180ispresumed.3. Sum of money based on a PN: Allegation that debt exists, PNmust be

properly pleaded (substance and attachment), debt must be due, nopaymentdespitedemand.

4. Unlawful detainer: Demand to vacate and such is not compliedwith. Ifbasedonexpirationoflease:noticeanddemandnotrequired.

5. Forcibleentry:Allegeandprovethepriorphysicalpossessionofplaintiff,deprivation thereof of defendantbyFISTS (force, intimidation, strategy,threat,stealth).

6. Malicious prosecution: Prove prosecution occurred, defendant was theprosecutor himself, criminal action endedwith an acquittal, prosecutoractedwithoutprobablecause,prosecutionwasimpelledbylegalmalice.

FAILURETOSTATEACAUSEOFACTION

• Groundfordismissalofcomplaintupondefendant’smotion.• Insufficiencyintheallegationsofthecomplaint.• AllegationsarenotenoughtoestablishROVID.• Basedonthefaceofthecomplaint.

FAILURETOESTABLISHACAUSEOFACTION

• Evidencepresentedcannotconfirmtheallegations.• Defendantfiledforademurrertoevidence.


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SPLITTINGASINGLECAUSEOFACTION• ProhibitedbyRulesofCourt(Rule2,Sec.3)• Act of instituting two or more suits on the basis of the same cause of

action.• Breedsmultiplicityofsuits• ThreeteststodetermineiftwosuitsrelatetoonlyasingleCoA:

o Sameevidencetesto Samedefensestesto CoA in the 2nd case existed at the time of the filing of the 1st

complaint.EFFECTOFSPLITTINGASINGLECOA

• Thefilingorajudgmentofoneuponthemeritsisagroundfordismissaloftheothers.

• As to which action should be dismissed would depend upon thediscretionofthecourtandcircumstancesofthecase.

JOINDEROFCAUSESOFACTION

• Assertion of as many CoA as a party may have against another in onepleadingalone.

• Unitingtwoormoredemandsorrightsofactioninoneaction.• Joinder shall not include special civil actions or actions governed by

specialrules.• Totality Rule: Principal amount alonewould be the basis of identifying

jurisdiction.Principalplus interests, fees,etc.wouldbethebasis forthefilingfees.

JOINDEROFCLAIMSINSMALLCLAIMSCASES

• Allowed, provided that the total amount claimed, exclusive of interestsandcosts,doesnotexceedP100,000.

PARTIES(RULE3)Section1(Whomaybeparties)(NJE)

• Natural• Juridical (State and its political subdivisions; corporations for public

interest or created by law; corporations, partnerships and associationsforprivateinterestwhichthelawgrantsjuridicalpersonality).

• Entities authorized by law (corporation by estoppel; contract ofpartnership having P3,000 or more as capital which failed to register;estate of a deceased; legitimate labor organization; Roman CatholicChurch;dissolvedcorporationsuingwithin3yearsafterdissolutionandconnectedtotheclosureofitsaffairs).

Entitywithoutjuridicalpersonalityasdefendant(Section15)

• Twoormorepersonsnotorganizedasanentitywithjuridicalpersonalityenterintoatransaction,theymaybesuedunderthenamebywhichtheyarecommonlyknown.

EffectwhenapartyimpleadedisNOTauthorizedtobeaparty

• Where theplaintiff is not NJE, amotion to dismissmay be filed on thegroundthat“PLAINTIFFHASNOLEGALCAPACITYTOSUE.”

• Where thedefendant isnotNJE, thecomplaintmaybedismissedon thegroundthatthe“PLEADINGASSSERTINGTHECLAIMSTATESNOCAUSEOFACTION.”

Section2(Realpartiesininterest)

• Injured• Benefited• Entitledtotheavailsofthesuit

Section3(Representativeasparties)

• Fiduciarycapacity(beneficiaryshallbeincludedinthetitleofthecase)• Trustee(express)• Guardian• Executor• Agentactinginhisownname


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• OtherpartiesauthorizedbylawSection4(Spousesasparties)

• Husbandandwifeshallsueorbesuedjointlyexceptasprovidedbylaw.Section5(Minororincompetentpersons)

• Assistedbytheparent/s,guardian,guardianadlitem.Section6(Permissivejoinderofparties)

• Onetransaction,askingforonerelief• Commonquestionoflaworfact

Section7(Compulsoryjoinderofindispensibleparties)

• Indispensible party – a real party in interest, if not impleaded, no finaldeterminationcanbehadofanaction.

• Judgmentrenderedwouldhavenoeffectiveness.Example: All heirs of the deceased defendant in an action to recover realpropertyareindispensibleparties.Section8(Necessaryparty)

• OughttobejoinedforCOMPLETErelief.Section9(Non-joinderofnecessarypartiestobepleaded)

• Pleader shall set forth the name of the necessary party if his name isknown

• Statewhysuchpartyisomitted.• If court finds the omission UNMERITORIOUS: order the pleader to join

theomittedpartyifjurisdictionoverhispersonmaybeobtained.Section10(Unwillingco-plaintiff)

• If consent of the plaintiff who should be joined cannot be obtained, hemaybemadeadefendant.

• Stateinthecomplaintthereasontherefor.Section11(Misjoinderornon-joinderofparties)

• Notagroundfordismissal• Maydroporaddpartiesbyorderofcourtonmotionofanyparty,ormotu

proprioatanystageandonjusttermsSection12(Classsuit)

• Partiesaresonumerous.Hence,anumberofthem,whichthecourtfindsasSUFFICIENTLYNUMEROUS,maysueforthebenefitofall.

• Subjectmatterofthecontroversy:commonorgeneralinterestSection13(AlternativeDefendants)

• Plaintiff is uncertain if against who of several persons should beimpleadedasdefendants,hemayjoinanyorallofthemasdefendantsinthealternative.

Section14(Unknownidentityornameofdefendant)

• Hemaybesuedastheunknownowner,heir,devisee,etc.• Iftruenameisdiscovered,pleadingmustbeamendedaccordingly.

Section15(Entitywithoutjuridicalpersonalityasdefendant)

• TwoormorepersonsNOTorganizedasanentity• Maybesuedunderthenametheyaregenerallyknown• In theiranswer, thenamesandaddressesof thedefendantsmustallbe

revealed.Section16(Deathofparty;Dutyofcounsel)

• Pendencyofaction:ItisthedutyofthecounseltoinformtheCourtwithin30 days after death. Plus, give the names and addresses of the legalrepresentatives.Failuretodoso=groundfordisciplinaryaction.

• Courtwilldetermineiftheclaimsurvives.• Heirs: May be allowed to be substitutes, without requiring the

appointment of an executor. Court may appoint guardian ad litem forminorheirs.

• Court:orderrepresentativestoappearandbesubstitutedwithin30daysfromnotice.

• Ifnolegalrepresentative:Courtmayordertheopposingpartytoprocureappointmentofanexecutorfortheestate.

• Serviceofsummonsnotrequiredtoeffectasubstitution.


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Examplesofactionswhichsurvivethedeathofaparty:• Recoverofrealandpersonalpropertyfromtheestate• Enforcementoflienthereon• Recoveryofdamagesforaninjurytopersonorproperty• Recoveryofdamagesarisingfromdelicts• If accused dies before arraignment, dismissal of the criminal case is

withoutprejudice toanycivilaction theoffendedpartymay fileagainsttheestateofthedeceased.

• Actionsforrecoveryofmoneyarisingfromcontract.o Favorable judgment: Claim against the estate of the deceased.

Shouldbefiledduringthesettlementproceedingsofthedeceased.Section17(Deathorseparationofapartywhoisapublicofficer)

• Action may be continued by his successor if, within 30 days after thesuccessortakesoffice, it issatisfactorilyshowntothecourtthatthereissubstantialneedtocontinueit.

Section18(Incompetencyorincapacity)

• Uponmotionwithnotice,courtmayallowtheactiontocontinue.• Incapacitatedpersonshallbeassistedbyhis legalguardianorguardian

adlitem.Section19(Transferofinterest)

• Actionmaybecontinuedbyoragainsttheoriginalparty.Section20(Actiononcontractualmoneyclaims)

• Defendant dies before entry of final judgment: action shall not bedismissed.

• A favorable judgmentobtainedbyplaintiff shallbeenforcedagainst theestateofthedeceased.

Section21(Indigentparty)

• Partyhasnomoneyorpropertysufficientandavailableforfood,shelterandbasicnecessities.

• Exempted from payment of docket fees, lawful fees, transcripts ofstenographicnotes.

• Docket and other lawful fees shall be lien on the favorable judgmentrenderedinhisfavor.

• Anyadversepartymaycontestthegrantofauthoritytoapartytolitigateasanindigent.

Section22(NoticetotheSolicitorGeneral)

• OnlytheSolGencanbringanddefendactionsonbehalfoftheRP.• IfactionfiledinthenameoftheRepublicisnotinitiatedbytheSolGen,it

shallbesummarilydismissed.• Actions involving the validity of any treaty, law, ordinance, executive

order, presidential decree, rules or regulations: Court, in its discretion,mayrequireappearanceofSolGen.


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VENUEOFACTIONS(RULE4)v Placeoftrialv GeographicalLocationwhichanactionorproceedingshouldbebrought.v Procedural,notsubstantive.BASICRULESFORVENUEREALACTIONSv IssueisaboutTOPPFI.

• Wherethepropertyislocatedoraportionthereofissituatedv Forcibleentryandunlawfuldetainer

• MTCwheretherealpropertyoranyportionthereofissituatedPERSONALACTIONSv Individualrightinvolvedv Basedoncontract/torts/damages

• Wheretheplaintiffresidesorwherethedefendantresides.• Non–residentdefendant:Wherehemaybefound.• ATTHEELECTIONOFTHEPLAINTIFF.

NON-RESIDENTDEFENDANT(ABSENT)v CannotbefoundinthePhilippines

• Noactionv Action affects the personal status of plaintiff or any property of said

defendant• Wheretheplaintiffresides,or• Wherethepropertyoranyportionthereofissituated• ATTHEELECTIONOFTHEPLAINTIFF.

SPECIALRULESFORVENUEQuoWarranto

• Generally,broughtonlytoSC/CAorRTCwheretherespondentresides.• CommencedbyOSG(ifnot filed in theCA/SC):shallbe filed in theRTC

Manila.

Environmentalcases• RTC exercising jurisdiction over the territory where the neglect

happened.• CA• SC

Libel/OralDefamationv Privateindividual

• RTCofprovince/citywherethearticleispublishedor• Wheretheoffendedpartyresides• ATTHEOPTIONOFTHEPLAINTIFF.

v Publicofficer• RTCwherehisofficeisor• Wherethearticleisfirstprintedandpublished• ATTHEOPTINOFTHEPLAINTIFF.

STIPULATIONSONVENUEv Partiesmayagreeonaspecificvenueprovidedthatitshouldbe(WEB):

• InWRITING• EXCLUSIVE

o Polytrade Doctrine: There must be the use of restrictive wordsindicating the exclusivity of the venue where actions could becommenced. Words such as only, in no other court, exclusively,nowhereelsebut/exceptareexamplesofrestrictivewords.

• BEFOREfilingofaction


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PARTSOFAPLEADING(RULE7)andMANNEROFMAKINGALLEGATIONSINPLEADINGS(RULE8)1. Captionofthepleading2. TitleoftheAction3. Bodyofthepleading

• AddressesofplaintiffanddefendantimportanttoknowtheVENUEoftheaction.

• TheSOURCE(S)OFOBLIGATIONshouldbeidentified.• AllegationsmustbebasedonULTIMATEFACTS,notconclusionsoflaw.• Muststatecauseofaction(establishROVID)• Whenanactionisbaseduponawritteninstrument:theoriginaloracopy

shouldbeattachedasanexhibit(annex).o Howtocontestdocument:

§ Denythegenuinenessanddueexecutionunderoath§ Settingforthwhatheclaimstobethefacts

4. RelieforPrayer• Whattheplaintiffisclaimingfor.

5. Verification• Apleadingisverifiedbyanaffidavitthattheaffianthasreadthepleading

andtheallegationsaretrueandcorrect.6. Certificationagainstforumshopping(Rule7,Section5)

Ø Theplaintiffhasnotcommencedanyactionor filedanyclaim involvingthesameissueinanycourt,andnosuchotheractionispendingtherein.

Ø Ifthereisapendingaction:acompletestatementofitspresentstatus.Ø Ifhe learns thata similar case is filed/pending: reportwithin5days to

thecourt.• Failuretocomplywiththerequirementsshallbecauseforthedismissal

of the caseWITHOUT PREJUDICE (right to re-file), unless otherwiseprovided.

• If there is willful and deliberate forum shopping: Dismissed WITHPREJUDICE. Constitutesdirect contempt and a cause for administrativesanctions.

• InthecaseofSwedishMatchv.TheTreasureroftheCityofManila:o Certificationsmustbeexecutedbyanofficeroramemberof the

boardofdirectorsviaaboardresolution.

o Officialswhocansignwithoutaboardresolution:§ Chairperson§ GeneralManager§ PersonnelOfficer§ Employmentspecialist

o Thebelatedissuanceoftheboardresolutionretroactstothedateof the signing of the officer whose authority was questionedbecause there was no board resolution upon the filing of thecomplaint.

• All plaintiffs must sign the certification but under reasonablecircumstances (share a common interest): the signature of onesubstantiallycomplieswiththeRule.

AMENDEDANDSUPPLEMENTALPLEADINGS(RULE10)

• Pleadingsmaybeamendedbyaddingorstrikingoutanallegationorthenameofanyparty,orbycorrectingamistakeinthenameofaparty,orinadequateallegationordescriptioninanyotherrespect.

• Amendmentsretroacttothetimethe1stcomplaintwasfiled.• PleadingmaybeamendedONCEasamatterofrightatanytimebeforea

responsivepleadingisserved,orinthecaseofareply,atanytimewithin10daysafteritisserved.

• Supplemental pleading: Sets forth transactions, occurrences, or eventswhich have happened since the date of the pleading sought to besupplemented.

EFFICIENTUSEOFPAPERRULE

• Singlespace,1.5spaceinbetweenparagraphs• Easilyreadablefontstyleoftheparty’schoice• 14-sizefont• 13”x8.5”whitebondpaper• Margins

o Left:1.5incheso Upper:1.2incheso RightandLower:1.0inch

• Consecutivelynumbered


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FILINGFEES/DOCKETFEES• Court acquires jurisdictionover any caseonlyupon thepaymentof the

prescribeddocketfee.• InSunInsuranceOfficev.Asuncion:

o The Court decreed that where the initiatory pleading is notaccompanied by the payment of the docket fee, the court mayallow payment of the feewithin reasonable time, but in no casebeyondtheprescriptiveorreglementaryperiod.

• Where the party does not deliberately intend to defraud the court inpaymentofdocketfeesandmanifestswillingnesstoabidebytherule,theliberaldoctrineenunciatedwillapply.

• Courtmaydecidewhen to relax the ruleorwhen toprosecute thecasebasedonthemeritssotheendsofjusticewillbemet.

ASSIGNMENTOFCASES

• Byraffle

SUMMONS(RULE14)v Writwhichthedefendantisnotifiedoftheactionbroughtagainsthim.v Notice to the defendant that someone named therein has commenced an

actionagainsthiminaparticularcourt.v Defendantisdirectedtoanswerthecomplaintwithintheperiodfixedbythe

Rulesandthat,unlessheanswers,plaintiffwilltakejudgmentbydefaultandmaybegrantedthereliefappliedfor.

v IssuanceofsummonsisMANDATORYbytheClerkofCourt.v Knowledge ofdefendantof anaction filedagainsthimdoesNOT dispense

withtheneedforsummons.Purposeinactionsinpersonam

• Complywithdueprocess• Acquirejurisdictionoverthepersonofthedefendant

Purposeinactionsinremandquasiinrem

• Jurisdiction over the person of the defendant isNOT a prerequisite toconfer jurisdiction on the court provided that the court acquiresjurisdictionovertheres.

• Summonsmightstillbeserveduponthedefendantinordertosatisfythedueprocessrequirements.(Jurisprudence)

Whoservessummons?(Section3)

• Sheriff• Hisdeputy• ProperCourtOfficer• Anysuitablepersonauthorizedbythecourt(forjustifiablereasons)

Contents(Section2)

• Nameofthecourt• Nameoftheparties• Direction to defendant to answer within the time fixed (ordinarily 15

days).• Noticethat,unlessthedefendantsoanswers,plaintiffwilltakejudgment

bydefaultandmaybegrantedthereliefprayedfor.


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Returnandproofofservice(Section4;Section18;Section19)

• Whentheserviceiscompleted,theservershall,within5daystherefrom,serve a copy of the return, personally or by registered mail, to theplaintiff’scounsel.

• Returnthesummonstotheclerkwhoissuedit,accompaniedbyproofofservice.

• Proofofservice:Inwriting,shallsetforththemanner,place,anddateofservice;specifyanypapersservedwiththeprocessandnameofpersonwhoreceivedit.

• Proofofservicebypublication:Ifservicewasmadebypublication,itmaybeprovedbythe:

o Affidavitoftheprinter,foreman,principalclerk,editor...towhichaffidavit,acopyofthepublicationshallbeattachedAND

o An affidavit showing the deposit of a copy of the summons andorderofpublicationinthepostoffice,postageprepaid,directedtothedefendantbyregisteredmailtohislastknownaddress.

Serviceupondefendantinperson(Section6)

• HandingacopyINPERSON• Ifherefusestoreceiveandsign:byTENDERINGittohim.• Theimpossibilityofprompt,personalserviceshouldbeshownbystating

in theproofof service thateffortsweremade toserve itpersonallybutsucheffortsfailed,hence,theresorttosubstitutedservice.

SUBSTITUTEDSERVICEOFSUMMONS(Section7)

• Resortedonlywhenserviceinpersoncannotbemadepromptly.• Impossibilityofpromptpersonalservicemustbeshown,bystatingthat

effortshavebeenmadeto findthedefendantpersonallyandsucheffortfailedintheproofofservice(Chuv.MachAsiaTrading).

• Maybeavailedofifforjustifiablecauses,thedefendantcannotbeservedwithinareasonabletime.

• InManotocv.CA,reasonabletimeissomuchtimeasisnecessaryunderthecircumstancesforareasonablyprudentanddiligentmantodo.

o Theremustbeseveralattemptsbythesherifftopersonallyservethesummonswithinareasonableperiod.

o Threetimes,fortheperiodof30days.

• Howitismade:o Leaving copiesof the summonsat thedefendant’s residence toa

personofsuitableageanddiscretionORo At the defendant’s office or regular place of business to a

competentpersoninchargethereof.• Whendefendantpreventsserviceofsummons:

o Deemed properly served if earnest efforts were made by thesheriff(Robinsonv.Miralles).

Serviceuponentitywithoutjuridicalpersonality(Section8)

• Twoormorepersonsnotorganizedasanentitywithjuridicalpersonalityenterintoatransaction,theymaybesuedunderthenamebywhichtheyarecommonlyknown.

• Servicemay be effected uponALL DEFENDANTS by serving summonsupon:

o Anyoneofthemo Thepersoninchargeoftheofficeorplaceofbusiness.

Serviceuponprisoners(Section9)

• EffecteduponhimbytheOFFICERhavingmanagementofsuchjail.• Jailmanagerisdeemeddeputizedasaspecialsheriff.

Serviceuponminorsandincompetents(Section10)

• Serviceshallbemadeuponhim,AND• On his legal guardian, upon his guardian ad litemwhose appointment

shallbeappliedforbytheplaintiff.• Ifminor,servicemayalsobemadeonhisfatherormother.

Serviceuponaprivatedomesticjuridicalentity(Section11)

• Servicemaybemadeuponthe(PMG-TIC)o Presidento ManagingPartnero GeneralManagero Treasurer


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o In-houseCounselo CorporateSecretary

• Above enumeration is EXCLUSIVE and RESTRICTIVE. Cannot be serveduponanyotherperson(ElliceAgro-Industrialv.Young)

Serviceuponprivateforeignjuridicalentity(Section12)

• Residentagentdesignatedinaccordancewiththelawforthatpurpose• If there isnoagent:Governmentofficialdesignatedby lawtothateffect

ORanyofitsofficersoragentswithinthePhilippines.• IftheforeignentityisnotregisteredinthePhilippinesorhasnoresident

agent,servicemaybeeffectedoutofthePhilippines,withleaveofCourt,through(A.M.No.11-3-6-SC):

o Personal service through the appropriate court in the foreighcountrywiththeassistanceofDFA.

o Publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the countrywherethedefendantmaybefoundANDbyservingacopyofthesummonsandthecourtorderbyregisteredmailatthelastknownaddressofthedefendant.

o Facsimileoranyrecognizedelectronicmeansthatcouldgenerateproofofservice.

o Bysuchothermeansasthecourtmayinitsdirectiondirect.Serviceuponpubliccorporations(Section13)

• RepublicofthePhilippinesasdefendant:serviceuponSolGen.• Incaseofprovince,municipalityorpubliccorporations:maybeeffected

onitsexecutiveheadorsuchotherofficersasthelaworcourtmaydirect.Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown(Section14)

• Byleaveofcourt,beeffecteduponhimbypublicationinanewspaperofgeneralcirculationandinsuchplacesandforsuchtimeasthecourtmayorder.

EXTRATERRITORIALSERVICEOFSUMMONS(Section15)v Applieswhenthefollowingrequisitesconcur:

• Defendantisanonresident

• NotfoundinthePhilippines,AND• Actionagainsthimiseitherinremorquasiinrem.

v Actionsinvolvedinextraterritorialserviceofsummons• Personalstatusoftheplaintiff• RelatingtopropertywithinthePhilippines,inwhichthedefendantclaims

alienorinterest,actualorcontingent• Relief demanded consists,wholly or in part, in excluding the defendant

fromaninterestinpropertylocatedinthePhilippines• Defendant’spropertyhasbeenattachedinthePhilippines.

v Servicecanbeeffectedby:• Personalserviceoutofthecountry• Publication,withleaveofcourt• Anyothermannerdeemedsufficient

Voluntaryappearance(Section20)

• Defendant’s voluntary appearance in the action shall be equivalent toserviceofsummons

• LaNavalDrugCorporationv.CA(prevailingdoctrine):o Theinvocationofothergroundsinamotiontodismissforlackof

jurisdictionofthecourtoverthepersonofthedefendantisNOTasubmissiontothecourt’sjurisdiction.

o Even the assertion of affirmative defenses aside from lack ofjurisdictionoverthepersonofthedefendantcannotbeconsideredawaiverofthedefenseoflackofjurisdictionoversuchperson.


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DISMISSALOFACTIONSBYTHEPLAINTIFF(RULE17)Dismissaluponnoticebyplaintiff(Section1)

• Noticeofdismissal – filedby theplaintiff todismissa complaintbeforetheserviceofanansweroramotionforsummaryjudgment.

• Uponfiling,thecourtshallissueanorderconfirmingthedismissal.• Matterofright• General rule:Adismissalmadeby the filingofanoticeofdismissal isa

DISMISSALWITHOUTPREJUDICE,thecomplaintcanberefiled.• ThedismissalwillbeWITHPREJUDICEif:

o Thenoticeofdismissalbytheplaintiffprovidesthatthedismissaliswithprejudice

o Theplaintiffhaspreviouslydismissedthesamecaseinacourtofcompetentjurisdictionbasedonorincludingthesameclaim.

Two-dismissalrule

• Applieswhentheplaintiff:o Twicedismissedtheactiono Basedonorincludingthesameclaimo Inacourtofcompetentjurisdiction

• ClaimmayonlybefiledTWICE,thefirstbeingtheclaimembodiedintheoriginalcomplaint.

• If the refiled claim is dismissed AGAIN through a second notice ofdismissal,thesecondnoticetriggerstheapplicationofthetwo-dismissalrule and thedismissal shall bedeemedWITH PREJUDICE because it isconsideredasanadjudicationofmerits.

Dismissaluponmotionofplaintiff(Section2)

• Motiontodismiss–filedonceeitheranansweroramotionforsummaryjudgmenthasbeenservedontheplaintiff.

• Motion is now subjected to the approval of the courtwhichwill decideuponsuchtermsandconditionsasarejust.

• NotamatterofrightbutaMATTEROFJURIDICALDISCRETION.Effectofdismissaluponacounterclaimalreadypleaded(Section2)

• Dismissal of complaint shall be without prejudice to the right of the

defendanttoprosecutehiscounterclaim.• Defendantmayprosecutehiscounterclaiminaseparateactionunlesshe

manifests his preference to have his counterclaim resolved in the sameaction.

• Heshallinformthecourtofsuchpreferencewithin15daysfromnoticeofthemotiontodismissservedbytheplaintiff.

Dismissalduetothefaultofplaintiff(Section3)

• Failure of plaintiff,without justifiable reasons, to appear on the date ofthepresentationofhisevidenceinchief

• Failureoftheplaintifftoprosecutehisactionforanunreasonablelengthoftime

• FailureoftheplaintifftocomplywiththeRulesofCourt• Failureoftheplaintifftocomplywithanyorderofthecourt.

v May be done by the courtmotu proprio or upon the motion filed by thedefendant.

v If there is no justifiable reasons that explain the absence of the plaintiffduringthepresentationofevidence:CourtmayDISMISSthecomplaint.

v Dismissal does not carry with it the dismissal of the counterclaim,compulsoryorotherwise.WITHOUTPREJUDICEtotherightofdefendantstoprosecutethecounterclaim(Pingav.HeirsofSantiago)(Section4)


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MOTIONTODISMISSBYTHEDEFENDANT(RULE16)Hypotheticaladmissionsofamotiontodismiss

• Defendanthypotheticallyadmitsthefactualallegationsofthecomplaint.Omnibusmotion

• Allgroundsforobjectionavailableatthetimethemotionisfiledmustbeinvokedinthemotion.

• Objectionswhicharenotinvokedaredeemedwaived.GroundswhichareNOTwaivedifnotinvoked

• Lackofjurisdictionoverthesubjectmatter• Pendencyofanotheractionbetweenthesamepartiesforthesamecause

(litispendencia)• Priorjudgmentwhichbarstheaction(resjudicata)• Statuteoflimitations(prescription)

NoticeofHearing

• Notbelaterthan10daysafterfilingofthemotionTimetofilethemotion

• Generally, within the time for filing the answer but before filing suchanswer.Iffiledaftertheanswer,itisconsideredfiledoutoftimeandthedefendingpartyisestoppedfromfilingthemotiontodismiss.

When amotion to dismissmay be filed even after the answer has beenservedandfiled

• Lackofjurisdictionoverthesubjectmatter• Pendencyofanotheractionbetweenthesamepartiesforthesamecause

(litispendentia)• Priorjudgmentwhichbarstheaction(resjudicata)• Statuteoflimitations(prescription)

v These are also grounds which allow the court to dismiss the case motuproprio provided that the ground for dismissal is apparent from thepleadingsortheevidenceonrecord.

Pleadinggroundsasaffirmativedefenses(Section6)• Ifnomotiontodismisshasbeenfiled,anyofthegroundsprovidedmay

bepleadedasanAFFIRMATIVEDEFENSEintheanswer.• Inthediscretionofthecourt,apreliminaryhearingmaybehadthereon

asifamotiontodismisshadbeenfiled.RemedyofthedefendantifthemotionisDENIED

• Movantshall filehisanswerwithinthebalanceoftheperiodprescribedinRule11towhichhewasentitledatthetimeofservinghismotion.

• Butnotlessthat5daysinanyevent.• Properremedies:

o Fileananswero Gothroughtheusualtrialprocesso Fileatimelyappealfromanadversejudgment

RemediesoftheplaintiffifthemotionisGRANTED

• Dependingontheground,plaintiffmaysimplyREFILE.• APPEALfromtheorderofdismissalwherethegroundrelieduponis:

o Resjudicatao Prescriptiono Extinguishmentoftheobligationo Violationofthestatuteoffrauds

Dismissalofcomplaintonthecounterclaim

• Shall not prevent the prosecution of the same or separate action of acounterclaimpleadedintheanswerofthedefendant.


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GROUNDSFORMOTIONTODISMISS–J2VPA-CPC3(Section1)a) Thatthecourthasnojurisdictionoverthepersonofthedefendingparty

o Followtheruleonsummonsb) Thatthecourthasnojurisdictionoverthesubjectmatteroftheclaim

o FollowtherulesonBP129c) Thatthevenueisimproperlylaid

o Followrulesonvenue(Rule4)d) Thattheplaintiffhasnolegalcapacitytosue

o Minorityo Insanityo Lackofjuridicalpersonality

e) That there is another action pending between the same parties for thesamecause(litispendentia)o Requisites

• Identityofparties• Identityofrightsasserted;samerelief• Regardless ofwhich party is successful,would amount to res

judicataintheother.f) Thatthecauseofactionisbarredbypriorjudgmentorbythestatuteof

limitationso Elements

• Formerjudgmentmustbefinal• Court which rendered it had jurisdiction over the subject

matterandtheparties• Judgmentmustbeonthemerits• There must be between the 1st and 2nd actions, identity of

parties,subjectmatterandcausesofaction.g) Thatthepleadingassertingtheclaimstatesnocauseofaction

o Refertopage1(Rule2)h) That the claim or demand set forth in the plaintiff’s pleading has been

paid,waived,abandonedorotherwiseextinguished.i) Thattheclaimonwhichtheactionisfoundedisunenforceableunderthe

provisionsofthestatuteoffraudsj) Thataconditionprecedentforfilingtheclaimhasnotbeencompliedwith

o Amicablesettlementbetweenfamilymemberso Barangayconciliation

MOTIONSINGENERAL(RULE15)Motion,defined(Section1)

• Anapplicationforreliefotherthanbyapleading.Hearingofmotion(Section4)

• Everywrittenmotionshallbesetforhearingbytheapplicant• Notice shall be served at least THREE DAYS before the date of the

hearing,unlessthecourtingoodcausesetsthehearingonshorternotice.Noticeofhearing(Section5)

• Addressedtoallpartiesconcerned• SpecifythetimeanddateofthehearingwhichmustnotbelaterthanTEN

DAYSafterthefilingofthemotion.BILLOFPARTICULARS(RULE12)

• Before responding to a pleading, a party may move for a definitestatementor forabillofparticularsofanymatterwhich isnotaverredwith sufficient definiteness or particularity to enable him properly topreparehisresponsivepleading.

• Ifpleadingisareply:MotionmustbefiledwithinTENDAYSfromservicethereof.

• Ifnotcompliedwith(Section4), thecourtmayorderthestrikingoutofthepleadingortheportionsthereoftowhichtheorderwasdirected.

FILINGANDSERVICEOFPLEADINGS(RULE13)v Filing–actofpresentingthepleadingorotherpapertotheclerkofcourtv Manneroffiling(Section3):

• Personally–Presentingtheoriginalcopiestotheclerkofcourt• Mail

v Service–actofprovidingapartyacopyofthepleadingorpaperconcerned.v Modeofservice:

• Personally• Mail

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