Supreme Court Cuts Hearings Due to Fuel Costs

The Supreme Court is holding fewer physical hearings, moving to virtual sessions on Mondays and Fridays to save fuel. This is a significant change from its usual operations.
By Newsroom | Law, Philippines |

The Supreme Court has enacted significant changes to its operational calendar and protocols, implementing austerity measures in response to a widening fuel crisis. These shifts include a reduction in physical hearings and the promotion of virtual proceedings, signaling a broader judicial acknowledgement of escalating energy costs impacting national functions.

This wave of conservation efforts sees the Supreme Court moving to virtual hearings on Mondays and Fridays, a direct consequence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for reduced fuel consumption amid the West Asia crisis. This mirrors actions taken by other judicial bodies, such as the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Federal Constitutional Court, which have adopted four-day work weeks, with Mondays through Thursdays designated as operational days.

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Further measures include a shift in the Supreme Court's summer sessions, traditionally held in Baguio, now relocating to Manila. This decision, announced by Gesmundo, aims to address current economic realities while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of judicial services. The court’s circular indicates a move away from traditional ‘summer vacation’ terminology, favouring 'partial working days' with increased benches handling urgent matters like bail and habeas corpus cases. This ensures physical hearings continue on regular court days, predominantly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

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The austerity push extends to internal administrative practices. The Supreme Court has also introduced a partial work-from-home arrangement for its Registry staff. Simultaneously, judges are reportedly resolving to promote carpooling as an internal measure to curb fuel usage. In Pakistan, these austerity measures also included cutting the POL (petrol, oil, lubricants) ceiling for judges and implementing rotational attendance for staff to minimise commuting and energy consumption, particularly in district courts, which may operate at full capacity Monday to Thursday.

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The rationale behind these widespread judicial austerity measures stems from the economic repercussions of the conflict in West Asia, which has destabilized global energy markets. These steps are framed as a responsible resource management approach, intended to conserve energy without compromising the delivery of justice. The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) in Pakistan has been central to coordinating these initiatives, emphasizing efficient resource use amidst challenging global energy costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Supreme Court reducing physical hearings on Mondays and Fridays?
The Supreme Court is cutting down on physical hearings on Mondays and Fridays because of the high cost of fuel. They are moving to virtual hearings on these days to save energy and money.
Q: Where will the Supreme Court's summer sessions be held now?
The summer sessions of the Supreme Court will now be held in Manila instead of Baguio. This change is made to deal with the current economic situation and ensure court work continues.
Q: What other changes is the Supreme Court making to save fuel?
The court is also letting Registry staff work from home sometimes and judges are encouraged to carpool. They are also calling the summer break 'partial working days' with more judges handling urgent cases.
Q: Are other countries' courts also facing fuel problems?
Yes, courts in Pakistan and Germany are also facing similar issues. The Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Federal Constitutional Court are using four-day work weeks, and Pakistan is also limiting fuel for judges and staff.