FLOW FOR PRACTICE COURT

COURT INTERPRETER All rise.

The Court is now in session. The Honorable [insert sir’s

name] presiding. Silence is hereby enjoined.

Please take your seats.

Your Honor, may we call the cases for today?

THE COURT
Go ahead.

INTERPRETER
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES versus [insert ACCUSED’s
name], if Criminal

[PLAINTIFF] v. [DEFENDANT], if Civil

Appearances please.

FISCAL
Good morning, your Honor. I am [insert name], respectfully
appearing on behalf of the People as public prosecutor.

PRIVATE PROSECUTOR
Good morning, your Honor. I am Atty. [insert name],
respectfully appearing as private prosecutor under the direct
control and supervision of the public prosecutor.

DEFENSE LAWYER
Good morning, your Honor. I am Atty. [insert name],
respectfully appearing for the defense.

Note: If the case was not finished in one meeting, any of the
above may say on the next meeting: “Same appearance for the
prosecution/defense, your Honor”

[proceeds with arraignment, if Criminal]

THE COURT
Please read the Information to the Accused. [Here, there may
be need to read the Information in Tagalog]

INTERPRETER [Reads Information]

1
 Note: At this juncture, the Defense may manifest that the
Accused is waiving the reading of the Information and enters
his plea.

*Pre-Trial

FISCAL or PRIVATE
PROSECUTOR May we call on to the witness stand, [WITNESS].

THE COURT
Swear and qualify the witness.

INTERPRETER
Please raise your right hand.

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?

OR

Pakitaas ang kanang kamay.

Ikaw ba ay magsasabi ng katotohanan at pawang

katotohanan lamang?

Note: If the case was not finished in one meeting, the

interpreter will say: “The witness is reminded that he/she
will be testifying under his/her previous oath.”

WITNESS Yes.

INTERPRETER Please take your seat.

What is your name?

WITNESS Answer

INTERPRETER Age?

WITNESS Answer

INTERPRETER Marital status?

WITNESS Answer

INTERPRETER Occupation?

2
WITNESS Answer

INTERPRETER Home Address?

WITNESS Answer

INTERPRETER
Your Honor, the witness is [NAME], [x] years old, [MARITAL
STATUS], [OCCUPATION], and [ADDRESS]

Example:

Your Honor, the witness is Pedro De Guzman, 57 years old,

married, jobless, and presently residing at 1611 España
Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila.

THE COURT
Your witness.

***DIRECT***

FISCAL
Nothing further, your Honor. OR No further questions.

***CROSS***

DEFENSE
Nothing further. OR No further questions.

***RE-DIRECT***

FISCAL
Nothing further. OR No further questions.

****RE-CROSS***

DEFENSE
Nothing further. OR No further questions.

***Same flow for subsequent witnesses, may it be for the prosecution or the defense.

THE COURT
We are through with the testimony of [WITNESS]