University of the Philippines

COLLEGE OF LAW
Diliman, Quezon City

CIVIL PROCEDURE

GUIDELINES FOR FIELD OBSERVATION

I. Requirements

Each member of the class is expected to have complied with the FIELD
OBSERVATION EXERCISES by participating as an observer in the proceedings listed in
the Outline and to SUBMIT the corresponding FIELD OBSERVATION REPORTS at
least one (1) week before the scheduled final examinations:

II. Guidelines

In conducting this field work, please observe strictly the following GUIDELINES:

1. READ and UNDERSTAND the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court or law
(and, if possible, cases assigned in the outline) before undertaking the field
work; have a clear idea of what the pertinent Rule provides.
2. Ensure AT ALL TIMES that PROPER DECORUM inside the court room or any
other place is observed.
3. Wear appropriate attire (by this is meant–no sleeveless shirts, shorts and slippers
for men and no shorts, tank tops, unreasonably short skirts or other similar
outfits for women)–you are there to observe, not to be observed.
4. Always ask permission from the Clerk of Court or the responsible officer of the
Branch or the venue BEFORE observing so that the Court or agency is aware of
your presence and the purpose of your attendance. If necessary, ask permission
from the Presiding Judge or the person in charge. COMPLY STRICTLY with
any instructions given by the person in charge, the clerk of court and/or presiding
judge.
5. No photographs are required; if you find it necessary, you may tape the
proceedings only for your own purposes, subject to permission of the Clerk of
Court/Judge.
6. While it is not required, it may be helpful for you to talk with any of the parties
involved (Judge, counsel, parties) to gain a deeper understanding of the what the
case/proceeding is all about. Before interviewing or talking to any of the parties
or counsels involved in the cases/proceedings, make sure that the purpose of your
interview has been explained fully and that the other party understands clearly
your purpose. Observe sensitivity in dealing with the parties involved; respect
any requests for privacy.
7. Any information from the cases/proceedings should be treated as STRICTLY
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED and should not be discussed outside the
classroom; if it is necessary to discuss any information obtained from the
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cases/proceedings observed, do it in private or in the classroom during class
hours.
8. DO NOT FORGET to have the Clerk of Court or other responsible officer sign
your Attendance Sheet (ANNEX A).

III. Field Observation Reports/Guide Questions

There is no required format for the Field Observation Reports, except that they
must be typewritten or printed on short bond paper and signed by the observer; there is
no required length either. However, the Field Observation Reports for each case/proceeding
observed must contain the following basic information:

A. Case particulars (include the title of the case, its number, the branch number
and venue, the offense involved as stated in the Information, the parties involved
(to include the Judge, and the counsels) and any other information relating to the
case);
B. Brief Summary of Events (include a short factual description of what you
observed during the proceedings.
C. Comments (include your thoughts on what you observed, based on, but not
limited to the following GUIDE QUESTIONS: Q1. How faithfully were the
Rules of Court complied with by the court insofar as the particular proceedings
you observed? Q2. If the court departed from the procedure in the Rules, what
did it do differently? How did this departure affect the manner by which the
proceedings were conducted? Was the legal or factual basis for the departure
clear to you? Q3. Was the Judge conducting the proceedings well-versed in the
procedure? Were the lawyers representing the parties well-versed in the
procedure? Were the parties involved aware of the procedure? Q4. In cases
involving minors, were the rules on protection of minors observed?);
D. Insights (include your own personal views and observations of the
proceedings you observed, placing emphasis on your reactions to the differences
(if any) between the law, as written, and the law, as applied, and what you have
learned, in the process; include also your own observations and reactions as to
any changes you may think are necessary);
E. Attachments (if any are relevant);

The Field Observation Reports are to be accomplished individually but the field
work may be done in groups. Please ensure that group size is reasonable so as not to
unduly burden the court; for purposes of field work, a maximum of four (4) to a group is
considered reasonable.

A caveat on decorum: professional conduct on your part is encouraged so that

unprofessional conduct against you is avoided. All cases involving violation of RA 7877 or
Art. 336, RPC committed by court personnel (including the Judge), police or jail
authorities (where relevant) or by counsels during any activity conducted under this
requirement must be reported to the Professor, which reports shall be treated with utmost
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delicacy and confidentiality, and shall be dealt with as the law provides.
 ATTENDANCE SHEET

This certifies that M___________________________ attended and observed the

proceedings described below, as described:

______________________
Signature