Special Rules of Court on Alternative Dispute Resolution

Rule 5

The following grounds, while not limiting the reasons for the court to grant an interim measure of protection, indicate the nature of the reasons that the court shall consider in granting the relief: a. The need to prevent irreparable loss or injury; b. The need to provide security for the performance of any obligation; c. The need to produce or preserve evidence; or d. The need to compel any other appropriate act or omission.

Rule 5

The verified petition must state the following: a. The fact that there is an arbitration agreement; b. The fact that the arbitral tribunal has not been constituted, or if constituted, is unable to act or would be unable to act effectively; c. A detailed description of the appropriate relief sought; d. The grounds relied on for the allowance of the petition Apart from other submissions, the petitioner must attach to his petition an authentic copy of the arbitration agreement.

Rule 5

Prior notice to the other party may be dispensed with when the petitioner alleges in the petition that there is an urgent need to either (a) preserve property, (b) prevent the respondent from disposing of, or concealing, the property, or (c) prevent the relief prayed for from becoming illusory because of prior notice, and the court finds that the reason/s given by the petitioner are meritorious.

Rule 5

16. Court assistance should arbitral tribunal be unable to effectively enforce interim measure of protection. - The court shall assist in the enforcement of an interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal which it is unable to effectively enforce.

Rule 5

13. Modification, amendment, revision or revocation of court’s previously issued interim measure of protection. - Any court order granting or denying interim measure/s of protection is issued without prejudice to subsequent grant, modification, amendment, revision or revocation by the arbitral tribunal as may be warranted. An interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal shall, upon its issuance be deemed to have ipso jure modified, amended, revised or revoked an interim measure of protection previously issued by the court to the extent that it is inconsistent with the subsequent interim measure of protection issued by the arbitral tribunal.

Rule 5

After hearing the petition, the court shall balance the relative interests of the parties and inconveniences that may be caused, and on that basis resolve the matter within thirty (30) days from (a) submission of the opposition, or (b) upon lapse of the period to file the same, or (c) from termination of the hearing that the court may set only if there is a need for clarification or further argument. If the other parties fail to file their opposition on or before the day of the hearing, the court shall motu proprio render judgment only on the basis of the allegations in the petition that are substantiated by supporting documents and limited to what is prayed for therein. In cases where, based solely on the petition, the court finds that there is an urgent need to either (a) preserve property, (b) prevent the respondent from disposing of, or concealing, the property, or (c) prevent the relief prayed for from becoming illusory because of prior notice, it shall issue an immediately executory temporary order of protection and require the petitioner, within five (5) days from receipt of that order, to post a bond to answer for any damage that respondent may suffer as a result of its order. The ex-parte temporary order of protection shall be valid only for a period of twenty (20) days from the service on the party required to comply with the order. Within that period, the court shall: a. Furnish the respondent a copy of the petition and a notice requiring him to comment thereon on or before the day the petition will be heard; and b. Notify the parties that the petition shall be heard on a day specified in the notice, which must not be beyond the twenty (20) day period of the effectivity of the ex-parte order. The respondent has the option of having the temporary order of protection lifted by posting an appropriate counter-bond as determined by the court. If the respondent requests the court for an extension of the period to file his opposition or comment or to reset the hearing to a later date, and such request is granted, the court shall extend the period of validity of the ex-parte temporary order of protection for no more than twenty days from expiration of the original period. After notice and hearing, the court may either grant or deny the petition for an interim measure of protection. The order granting or denying any application for interim measure of protection in aid of arbitration must indicate that it is issued without prejudice to subsequent grant, modification, amendment, revision or revocation by an arbitral tribunal.

Rule 5

The comment/ opposition must be filed within fifteen (15) days from service of the petition. The opposition or comment should state the reasons why the interim measure of protection should not be granted.

Rule 5

The order granting an interim measure of protection may be conditioned upon the provision of security, performance of an act, or omission thereof, specified in the order. The Court may not change or increase or decrease the security ordered by the arbitral tribunal.

Rule 5

If respondent was given an opportunity to be heard on a petition for an interim measure of protection, any order by the court shall be immediately executory, but may be the subject of a motion for reconsideration and/or appeal or, if warranted, a petition for certiorari.

Rule 5

The following, among others, are the interim measures of protection that a court may grant: a. Preliminary injunction directed against a party to arbitration; b. Preliminary attachment against property or garnishment of funds in the custody of a bank or a third person; c. Appointment of a receiver; d. Detention, preservation, delivery or inspection of property; or, e. Assistance in the enforcement of an interim measure of protection granted by the arbitral tribunal, which the latter cannot enforce effectively.

Rule 5

The court shall not deny an application for assistance in implementing or enforcing an interim measure of protection ordered by an arbitral tribunal on any or all of the following grounds: a. The arbitral tribunal granted the interim relief ex parte; or b. The party opposing the application found new material evidence, which the arbitral tribunal had not considered in granting in the application, and which, if considered, may produce a different result; or c. The measure of protection ordered by the arbitral tribunal amends, revokes, modifies or is inconsistent with an earlier measure of protection issued by the court. If it finds that there is sufficient merit in the opposition to the application based on letter (b) above, the court shall refer the matter back to the arbitral tribunal for appropriate determination.

Rule 5

14. Conflict or inconsistency between interim measure of protection issued by the court and by the arbitral tribunal. - Any question involving a conflict or inconsistency between an interim measure of protection issued by the court and by the arbitral tribunal shall be immediately referred by the court to the arbitral tribunal which shall have the authority to decide such question.

Rule 5

15. Court to defer action on petition for an interim measure of protection when informed of constitution of the arbitral tribunal. - The court shall defer action on any pending petition for an interim measure of protection filed by a party to an arbitration agreement arising from or in connection with a dispute thereunder upon being informed that an arbitral tribunal has been constituted pursuant to such agreement. The court may act upon such petition only if it is established by the petitioner that the arbitral tribunal has no power to act on any such interim measure of protection or is unable to act thereon effectively.

Rule 5

A petition for an interim measure of protection may be filed with the Regional Trial Court, which has jurisdiction over any of the following places: a. Where the principal place of business of any of the parties to arbitration is located; b. Where any of the parties who are individuals resides; c. Where any of the acts sought to be enjoined are being performed, threatened to be performed or not being performed; or d. Where the real property subject of arbitration, or a portion thereof is situated.

Rule 5

A party to an arbitration agreement may petition the court for interim measures of protection.

Rule 5

A petition for an interim measure of protection may be made (a) before arbitration is commenced, (b) after arbitration is commenced, but before the constitution of the arbitral tribunal, or (c) after the constitution of the arbitral tribunal and at any time during arbitral proceedings but, at this stage, only to the extent that the arbitral tribunal has no power to act or is unable to act effectively.