Guidelines on Field Activity

1. The purpose of the field activity is to observe the physical setup and premises of any of the
courts and obtain initial information about the court and a glimpse on how it operates.

2. Choose any of the courts in the Philippine judicial system.

3. Before the visit do some research. Is it a trial court? What kind of cases are tried in that
court? Is it a one-judge court or a collegial court? Where is that court situated in the hierarchy
of courts? Does the court handle appealed cases?

4. During the visit, familiarize yourself with the following:

a. Court calendar
b. Regular court schedule (trials, motion, motion day, etc.)
c. Courtroom
d. Judge’s bench, table
e. Area or seat/s ant table/s for lawyers (bar)
f. Witness box
g. Judge’s chambers
h. Clerk of court
i. Court stenographer
j. Other court staff
k. Offices of h-j
l. Court records/files (dockets, etc.)
m. Sheriff
n. First call of cases for the day and (optional) trial of one case

5. Field Activity Report (FAR). The FAR should include the following:

a. Court name
b. Court location
c. Branch no.
d. Name of judge
e. Information obtained prior to the visit (no. 3 above)
f. Date and time of visit (start; end)
g. Person/s interviewed, if any
h. Description of court premises
i. Description of court files
j. Court routine (no. 4n above)
k. Other impressions or comments

Please sign the report at the end and indicate date of signing.

Please ask one of the court officials to issue and sign a certification of visit (you may bring a
prepared form for signing). Attach the signed certification when you submit the FAR.

FAR Submission Deadline: 20 October 2018