Court case dispositions increased, says Leonen

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen shared during a gathering of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practitioners that the Supreme Court’s judicial reforms have significantly improved the case disposition rate in courts.

He noted that for first-level courts, the case disposition rate increased from 53 percent in 2021 to 60 percent in 2022 and 61 percent in 2023. For second-level courts, the rate rose from 32 percent in 2021 to 39 percent in 2022 and 42 percent in 2023.

Leonen added that the SC’s disposition rate also improved from 19 percent in 2022 to 25 percent in 2023, with 4,730 cases disposed of during the year.

Given the progress, ADR mechanisms, such as mediation, can assist the High Court in its efforts to decongest court dockets and enhance the efficient administration of justice, he pointed out.

Leonen made the remarks during Philippine ADR Day, a gathering of ADR experts and practitioners held recently in Taguig City.

He emphasized the crucial role of ADR practitioners in ensuring the success of the SC’s judicial reforms under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027.

“Arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, including indigenous and customary processes, are important aspects of our legal system. These allow the parties to resolve their disputes outside the traditional role of public adjudication,” he stated.

These mechanisms also empower parties to “choose how they will resolve disputes in a manner that is timely, cost-effective, and tailored to their specific needs and circumstances,” he explained.

Leonen said that such options give parties flexibility in resolving their cases, something that would not be possible in traditional court proceedings.

He added that the SC has consistently prioritized the binding nature and enforceability of arbitral awards in several rulings, stressing that when parties voluntarily submit their disputes for arbitration, that choice must be respected.

“These rulings should boost public confidence in arbitration as a private alternative to litigation. They reflect our commitment to uphold party autonomy and limit unnecessary judicial interference. These are pillars of a more innovative, more efficient, and more accessible justice system,” Leonen remarked.

ADR mechanisms can be effective not only in commercial disputes but also in family matters. They provide a less adversarial and more personalized approach to resolving sensitive family issues, encouraging amicable settlements that ease the financial and emotional strain typically associated with traditional litigation.