GUIDELINES ON THE CONDUCT OF VIDEOCONFERENCING HEARINGS

 

Following are the Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing Hearings (“VCH”) at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney (“the Consulate”):

 

1. Prior to the submission of the motion to the relevant court, the counsel of the requesting party shall email the Consulate (sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph), copy furnished the Department of Foreign Affairs - Offi ce of Treaties and Legal Affairs (“DFA-OTLA”) (otla@dfa.gov.ph), with the subject heading “Request for Videoconference Hearing” indicating the following:

​

a. Nature of the case;

b. Proposed date and time for the conduct of the VCH;

c. Name, nationality, and contact details of the person/s to appear before the VCH;

d. Contact details of the requesting counsel; and,

e. An undertaking to do the following:

i. Pay the prescribed fees to the Consulate for the conduct of the VCH;

ii. Comply with the health and security measures being implemented by the Consulate;

iii. Ensure that all other parties are notifi ed and aware of the arrangements, including the schedule of the hearing, time zone difference, and other relevant information; and,

iv. Provide all necessary equipment, including internet access, pre-installed applications/applications to be used by the court, and if necessary, interpreters.

 

Submission of the request for VCH does not guarantee acceptance or confirmation.

Kindly note that VCH may only be scheduled on weekdays (except on Consulate announced holidays) at the Consulate’s Bulwagang Rizal subject to said venue’s availability. In view of the time difference between Manila and Sydney, the start and end of a VCH shall be be within public hours common to the Philippines and New South Wales, Australia:

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

The Consulate’s participation in a VCH shall be confined to the hearing’s preliminary preparations and activities only (such as the provision of the hearing room/venue). All technical requirements corresponding to the holding of a videoconference such as software/applications, internet connection, and equipment (computer, tablet, TV, etc.) shall be provided by the persons testifying themselves.

 

2. Upon receipt of the request, the Consulate shall comment on the acceptability of the request.

3. The counsel may only proceed with the filling of the necessary Motion in Court to issue the Order for the VCH after securing the acceptance from the Consulate on the time and date of the hearing.

4. Upon receipt of the Order for VCH from the court, the counsel must transmit a copy of the said Order to the Consulate.
5. At the conclusion of VCH, the Consulate shall collect the following fees under DFA Department Order No. 2021-18 dated 26 November 2021:

Use of a 10-square meter area of the Bulwagang Rizal -------  AU$216
Certification --------------------------------------------------------- AU$72
Per additional copy ------------------------------------------------- AU$18

 

Participants in the hearing are required to abide by the Consulate’s security, safety and health protocols.

 

Further inquiries on this matter may be addressed to the Consulate at email address: sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph.