The Rules of Procedure for Admiralty Cases

Section 1

Within ten (10) calendar days from date of pre-trial, if the case is not referred to mediation, or within thirty (30) calendar days from date of pre-trial if the case is referred to mediation and the same fails, the court shall hold trial for purposes of cross-examination of the parties' witnesses based on their judicial affidavits and documents annexed thereto submitted with the complaint or answer. No additional affidavits or evidence which were not previously agreed upon in the pre-trial shall be allowed.

Section 2

The court shall conduct continuous trial which shall not exceed two (2) months from the date of the initial trial. The two-month period may be extended by the court in cases involving complex factual and legal issues which necessarily require additional time for their determination, but in no case shall the extension exceed one (1) month.

Section 3

The court shall strictly adhere to the rule that a witness has to be fully examined in one (1) day, subject to the court's discretion of extending the examination for justifiable reason. After the presentation of the last witness, only oral offer of evidence shall be allowed, and the opposing party shall immediately and orally interpose his or her objections. The judge shall forthwith rule on the offer of evidence in open court. The parties may agree that witnesses may be examined via videoconferencing in accordance with existing rules of the Supreme Court.

Section 4

After the last party has rested his or her case, the court shall issue an order submitting the case for decision. The court may, within ten (10) days from submission of the case for decision, require the parties to submit position papers within a non-extendible period of ten (10) days from notice.

Section 5

Within a non-extendible period of ten (10) calendar days from submission of the case for decision, the court may require the simultaneous submission, in written and/or electronic form, of the parties' position papers based on the affidavits and evidence already submitted and on record. Position papers shall state the arguments of fact and law upon which the party seeks a favorable decision and shall substantially follow the form of a draft decision.

Section 6

Within fifteen (15) calendar days from the expiration of the period for filing of position papers, with or without position papers, the court shall render judgment.