SC requires e-filing in annulment, nullity of marriage cases

The Supreme Court (SC) announced that all annulment and nullity of marriage cases must now be filed and served electronically, in line with recent amendments to court procedures.

In a news release, the SC said it has expanded the coverage of Rule 13-A of the Rules of Civil Procedure, which mandates the electronic filing and service of pleadings, motions, and other legal documents in civil cases before first- and second-level courts.

“Section 1 of Rule 13-A has been amended to include annulment and nullity cases, but other special proceedings remain excluded,” the SC said in a recently issued resolution.

The amendment took effect following its publication on April 24.

This procedural change supports the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, which aims to modernize court processes and improve efficiency through digital transformation.

Previously, Rule 13-A excluded special proceedings such as annulment and nullity of marriage. However, the Office of the Court Administrator recommended including them due to their procedural similarity with civil actions.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed that, effective December 1, 2024, all pleadings, motions, court issuances, and related documents in civil cases be filed and served electronically through email, with the exception of initiatory pleadings.

This latest move brings the judiciary a step closer to full digitalization, especially in handling sensitive and time-consuming family law cases.