March 14, 1978

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 3

SUBJECT    :     Service of Writs and Court Processes
                          in Connection with Cases Involving
                          Foreign Governments or Instrumentalities
                          thereof

TO                :     All Judges of the Court of Tax Appeals,
                          Courts of First Instance, Circuit Criminal
                          Courts, Juvenile and Domestic Relations
                          Courts, Courts, Courts of Agrarian Relations
                          and City and Municipal Courts

        The attention of this Court has been called to diplomatic notes received by the Department of Foreign Affairs complaining that court processes or writs have been mailed or otherwise deliver directly to embassies of foreign governments or agencies thereof without coursing the same through the Department of Foreign Affairs. The practice complained of is not in consonance with diplomatic practice.  

        Accordingly, you are hereby advised that henceforth court processes and writs issued in connection with cases involving foreign governments or agencies should be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs for transmission to the foreign embassy concerned by diplomatic note.

        Strict compliance herewith is enjoined.

        March 14, 1978.

(SGD.) FRED RUIZ CASTRO
Chief Justice