Court-users’ guide for hearing through videoconferencing

under Administrative Circular No. 37-2020

How will a hearing through videoconferencing conducted?

A videoconferencing hearing will be conducted using the Microsoft Teams

application.

How will the parties be notified?

Parties to a case which is scheduled to be heard through videoconferencing

will be notified through their respective email addresses containing a link
for them to join the hearing (or meeting). The said link will look like this:

Do the parties need to have a Microsoft account to attend the

videoconferencing hearing?

No, parties do not need to have a Microsoft account to attend the

videoconferencing hearing. They can use any account (i.e. Gmail, Yahoo,
protonmail, etc.) to attend the videoconferencing hearing.

What are the steps to be taken to attend the videoconferencing

hearing?

1. Click on the link “Join Microsoft Teams Meeting” in the email from
the court at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the commencement of
the hearing.

2. The link will be opened in a web browser. If the web browser does not
work with the link, copy and paste the link into a web browser.

3. The next screen will prompt the invited participant to join the
meeting through the web browser, by downloading the Teams
 desktop application, or by launching the Teams application if it is
already installed on your computer.

We recommend that you download the Teams desktop application to

enjoy better experience.

4. You will next be prompted to enter your name. Please use the
following naming convention: complete name – party description (i.e.
Prosecutor Juan Cruz – public prosecutor; Atty. Jane Reyes – counsel
for the accused)

5. Below your name, there are options to turn on the camera and
microphone. Make sure to turn these on prior to joining.

6. Click “Join now” and you will be admitted to a virtual lobby, and wait
for the Court to let you into the hearing.
7. Once you have been admitted into the hearing and your presence has
been known to and acknowledge by the court, kindly place your
microphone on mute. The microphone must be placed on mute at all
times unless you are speaking.

8. Click on the icon of the microphone on the bar to unmute.

Note: the remote locations of the participants to the videoconference

hearings are extensions of the court, and thus, the in-person
appearances, testimonies and experiences of the litigants and parties in
courts shall always be closely resembled. In the same manner, the
dignity and solemnity of in-court proceedings shall at all times be
mirrored.

You may also click here to watch the video tutorial on how to join a
Microsoft Teams meeting.

Tips and guidance on using Microsoft Teams

• Prior to the hearing:

o make sure that your computer is in a place with good,

reliable internet connection, built-in video camera and
microphone.

o While it is possible to use Microsoft Teams on a web

browser, we recommend using the Teams desktop
application. You do NOT need to have a Microsoft or Teams
account to download the application or to join
hearing/meeting.

o You can test your camera and microphone in the Teams

application by clicking Settings, then Devices and then
“Make a test call”.
 o Check that your web browser is up to date and your
computer has the latest updates.

• Use headphones with microphones for better videoconferencing

experience.

• Turn all phones and devices on “silent” mode.

• Close any applications on your computer that may interrupt the

proceedings