Shari'a Circuit Courts

THE SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS

 
Equivalent to the Municial Circuit Trial Courts are the Shari'a Circuit Courts which were established in certain municipalities in Mindanao where the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines is being enforced.
 
There are five Shari'a Circuit Courts and fifty one Shari'a Circuit Courts in existence.
 
A Shari'a Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over the following:
 
1.  All cases involving offenses defined and punished under Presidential Decree No. 1083; 
 
2.  All civil actions and proceedings between parties who are Muslims or have been married in accordance with Article 13 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 involving disputes relating to: 
 
a.  Marriage; 
b.  Divorce recognized under Presidential Decree No. 1083; 
c.  Betrothal or breach of contract to marry; 
d.  Customary dowry (mahr); 
e.  Disposition and distribution of property upon divorce; 
f.   Maintenance and support, and concolotary gifts(mut'a); and 
g.   Restitution of marital rights. 
 
3.  All cases involving disputes relative to communal properties.