AN ACT CREATING THE COURT OF AGRARIAN RELATIONS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 1267

Creation of the Court of Agrarian Relations
- A Court of Agrarian Relations is created to enforce laws governing the relations between capital and labor on agricultural lands. (Section 1)

Composition and Qualifications of Judges
- The Court consists of an Executive Judge and eight Associate Judges with the rank of Judges of the Court of First Instance. (Section 2)
- The Judges must have the same qualifications as Judges of the Court of First Instance and have engaged in the actual practice of law for at least ten years. (Section 3)
- The Executive Judge receives an annual compensation of ₱11,000, and the Associate Judges receive ₱10,000 each. (Section 3)

Jurisdiction and Powers of the Court
- The Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over the entire Philippines to consider matters involving the rights of persons in the cultivation and use of agricultural land where one party works the land. (Section 7)
- The Court has the power to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, require attendance of witnesses and production of documents, and punish for contempt of court. (Section 8)
- The Court can require the services of any government official or employee without additional compensation. (Section 9)

Rules of Procedure
- The Court shall adopt its own rules of procedure and shall act according to justice and equity without regard to technicalities or legal forms. (Section 10)
- Specific rules are provided for postponements, time limits for hearings and decisions, and the character of orders or decisions. (Sections 10 and 11)
- Execution of orders or decisions is governed by specific rules, including the possibility of staying execution upon appeal. (Section 12)

Review by the Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court may review questions of law from the Court of Agrarian Relations through a petition for certiorari. (Section 13)

Criminal and Civil Liability
- Violations of the Act or orders of the Court are punishable by fines up to ₱2,000 or imprisonment up to one year, or both, and indemnification for actual damages. (Section 14)
- Inducing violations in bad faith is punishable by fines up to ₱4,000 or imprisonment up to two years, or both. (Section 14)

Personnel of the Court
- The Executive Judge shall appoint Commissioners, Clerks of Court, Deputy Clerks of Court, and other employees as required. (Section 15)
- Qualifications, duties, and compensation for Commissioners, Clerks of Court, and Deputy Clerks of Court are specified. (Section 15)

Expenses and Appropriations
- Provincial governments shall provide court-rooms and offices for the Court, while the National Government shall bear other expenses. (Section 16)
- The Tenancy Division of the Court of Industrial Relations is abolished, and its powers, functions, appropriations, property, and equipment are transferred to the Court of Agrarian Relations. (Section 17)
- An appropriation of ₱400,000 is provided for the initial expenses of the Court. (Section 18)

Other Provisions
- Existing laws shall apply unless inconsistent with this Act. (Section 19)
- Partial invalidity of any section shall not affect the validity of other sections. (Section 20)
- The Act shall take effect upon its approval. (Section 21)