Revision of the Rules of Civil Procedure

To augment the efforts to decongest our court, the proposed rules of civil procedure provide that every case with few exceptions must undergo alternative dispute resolutions (ADR) before it is filed in court. The plaintiff cannot file a case without a written demand upon the defendant, seeking a meeting to negotiate settlement. The defendant cannot make a counterclaim without a counter demand and agreeing to meet with the plaintiff or his representative. Only when this fails can the plaintiff file his complaint in court and the defendant his counterclaim.