PRACTICAL TIPS IN

COURT LITIGATIONBY: ATTY. TRISTAN AMBROSIO REYES

(IBP RSM SECRETARY)
Eagleridge Development Corporation, et al. v. Cameron Granville 3
Asset Management, Inc.,
G.R. No. 204700, April 10, 2013

“Litigation is not a game of skills and

stratagems. It is a social process that should
allow both parties to fully and fairly access the
truth of the matters in litigation.”
It must be remembered that "litigation is essentially an
abiding quest for truth undertaken not by the judge
alone, but jointly with the parties. Litigants, therefore,
must welcome every opportunity to achieve this goal;
they must act in good faith to reveal documents, papers
and other pieces of evidence material to the
controversy." Courts, as arbiters and guardians of truth
and justice, must not countenance any technical ploy to the
detriment of an expeditious settlement of the case or to a
fair, full and complete determination on its merits.
TIP NO. 1
KNOW YOUR CASE (FIGURE)

 Facts;
 Issues;
 Governing Rules;
 Utilize your resources;
 Relevant Jurisprudence;
 Elements of the case.
TIP NO. 2
BE PUNCTUAL (COPE)

Consider the contingencies;

Obtain the right resources;
Plan in Detail;
Evaluate what you need.
TIP NO. 3
DO YOUR RESEARCH (BIKE)

 Be courteous with Court staff and personnel;

 Indulge yourself into reading;
 Know the judge and your opponent;
 Enhance your communication skills.
TIP NO. 4
POWER DRESSING (DARE)

 Dress like you care;

 Avoid showing too much skin;
 Remember your grooming;
 Emphasis on fit and style;
TIP NO. 5
ARTICULATE (CAMEL)

 Cut out verbosity;

 Avoid miscommunication;
 Make your thoughts easy to understand;
 Express yourself clearly;
 Learn how to KISS (Keep it Short and Simple)
- Rhythm of speaking
- Vocabulary
- Pitch Variation
- Voice Projection
- Use of pauses
- Sentence length
- Sound of your voice
COURTROOM DEMEANOR
DO’s
 Do appear to be paying attention. It is helpful
to actually listen and learn about the process
(and the judge) before your case.
 Do try to appear pleasant and interested in the
proceedings.
 Do be polite to courtroom staff - the clerk, the
bailiff or others. They work with the judge and
will report poor behavior.
DON’T
 Don't read the newspaper, play games with your phone,
work on your laptop, chew gum, use your cell phone or
talk to other people.
 Don't make faces or roll your eyes or otherwise show
negative reactions to something happening in the court.
 Don't ignore or treat non-judge members of the court
staff poorly. They are part of the justice system that will
decide your case.
 Don't act angry or short-tempered with the judge or
other side, even if you are upset by your case.
 DON'T ACT ANGRY OR
Do refer to the SHORT-TEMPERED WITH
judge as "Your THE JUDGE, EVEN IF YOU
ARE UPSET ABOUT YOUR
Honor" and speak CASE
with respect
You will feel nervous. It’s ok to be
nervous.

Speak in your normal speaking voice.

Speak only when you are given instruction to speak. Do not

interrupt anyone, especially the Judge.
RESPECT
In other words, be on your best
behavior and consider the
solemnity of the courtroom. Show
respect to the judge and others in
the courtroom.
“FAITH IS THE EVIDENCE
OF THINGS NOT SEEN AND
THE SUBSTANCE OF
THINGS HOPED FOR”