The Philippine legal system,including its judicial rules, were adopted from and influenced mainly by western countries,more particularly the American system.
Legal issues and controversies are resolved primarily through the courts whose primary function is to settle the rights of the parties and enforce legal obligations.
The filing of court action is the common recourse of persons,natural or juridical,seeking remedy to protect their rights and enforce legal obligations due them.
However,because of the fast growing number of cases and disputes being filed everyday,the increasing docket of pending cases compelled the adoption of a new mechanism to resolve cases in a more expeditious and less costly manner.The concept of outside-the-court proceeding in resolving certain cases was then introduced in the Philippine judicial system.Legislation established mechanisms and institutions to help de-clog court cases and at the same time gave parties an alternative venue to adjudicate their rights and interests.
The adoption of various modes of alternative dispute resolution--such as arbitration, conciliation and mediation--not only expedited the resolution of cases, but also improved judicial effectiveness and efficiency. As a result thereof,the Supreme Court prioritized the following goals when enacting rules of procedure.(1)dispose of the existing backlog of cases in all courts；(2)study and address the causes of failure to observe the periods to decide cases mandated by the Constitution；and (3)promote alternative modes of dispute resolution.
