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Which Court Should You File In?

Before you worry about fees, pick the right court. Filing in the wrong one means your case gets dismissed — and you lose your filing fee with no refund.

Small claims is almost always the best option if your dispute qualifies. It's cheaper, faster, and you don't need a lawyer.

Small Claims Court: Fee Schedule

Small claims is the fastest and cheapest way to recover money owed to you. No lawyers, no complicated procedures. Just you, your documents, and one hearing.

Add a mandatory ₱5 Victim Compensation Fund fee on all civil filings. If paying through GCash, PayMaya, or LandBank, add another ₱15 convenience charge.

What small claims covers

Small claims handles purely money disputes — unpaid loans, security deposits, bounced checks, unpaid rent, and service fees. It does not cover property ownership disputes, family law, or employment issues.

MTC and RTC Filing Fees

For claims above ₱400,000 — or cases that don't qualify for small claims — you'll file in the MTC or RTC.

MTC / MTCC: ₱400,001 to ₱2,000,000

The MTC fee starts at ₱3,000 for claims up to ₱500,000, then adds 1% of every peso above ₱500,000. A ₱1.2 million claim costs approximately ₱10,000 in docket fees alone — before the sheriff's deposit and mediation fee.

RTC: Above ₱2,000,000

RTC fees start at ₱4,000 flat for the first ₱250,000, then 1% up to ₱2,000,000, then 0.3% above that. The total docket fee is capped at ₱50,000 no matter how large the claim.

Both courts also require a sheriff's trust fund deposit (₱1,000–₱2,000) and a mediation fee (₱1,000). These are not optional.

NLRC Labor Cases: What Employees Pay

Labor disputes go to the NLRC, not regular courts. The fee structure is generally lower because the NLRC is designed to give workers accessible remedies against employers.

Always verify current rates with your NLRC Regional Arbitration Branch before filing, as schedules are updated periodically.

Indigent Status: How to File for Free

If you can't afford filing fees, Rule 141 Section 19 allows courts to waive all legal fees for indigent litigants. You must meet both criteria:

• Your gross monthly income is at or below the Metro Manila minimum wage (approximately ₱15,860 as of mid-2025)
• You do not own real property worth more than ₱300,000

Documents required

• Affidavit of Indigency (Form 6-SCC for small claims)
• Barangay Certificate of Indigency
• City or Municipal Assessor's Certificate
• City or Municipal Treasurer's Office Certificate
• Affidavit of two disinterested persons

The Barangay Step You Cannot Skip

Before filing any civil case, check if barangay conciliation applies. Under R.A. 7160, you must go through the barangay first if both parties reside in the same city or municipality and the dispute is between individuals.

The barangay hearing is handled by the Lupon Tagapamayapa. If no settlement is reached, the Lupon issues a Certificate to File Action (CFA) — you cannot file in court without this document.

Barangay fees vary by LGU but typically run ₱50 to ₱200. You are exempt if parties live in different cities or municipalities, or if a corporation or government entity is involved.

Filing Day: What to Bring

Showing up prepared saves you a return trip. Bring all of the following:

• Original complaint (Form 1-SCC for small claims, Verified Complaint for regular cases) plus copies for each defendant and one extra for yourself
• All supporting documents: contracts, receipts, demand letters, messages, photos — anything proving your case. Label and number them as exhibits.
• Valid government-issued ID
• Cash or proof of e-payment for the exact filing fee amount
• Barangay Certificate to File Action (if required)
• Official receipts from any previous fees paid

What happens after you file?

For small claims, the Clerk of Court sets a hearing date — usually within 30 days. Both you and the defendant must appear in person. The judge tries mediation first; if that fails, the case is decided based on your submitted documents, usually the same day.

For MTC and RTC cases, expect a longer process: the defendant has time to file an answer, there are pre-trial conferences, and then actual hearings if no settlement is reached.