SC Launches Stylebook for Judicial Writing
January 31, 2024
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo is presented by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen a physical copy of the Stylebook of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC Stylebook) during its launch on January 31, 2024 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“Today, we recognize the profound significance of decision-writing in the pursuit of justice,” highlighted Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo in his keynote message at the launch of the Stylebook of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC Stylebook) today at the En Banc Session Hall of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila.
“More than just a book on technicalities or a manual on effective writing, the Supreme Court Stylebook is a testament to our commitment to innovation, modernity, and responsiveness in judicial writing,” said the Chief Justice.
A brainchild of Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the SC Stylebook was approved in A.M. No. 22-11-17-SC (Re: Proposed Supreme Court Stylebook). It supersedes the Manual for Judicial Writing published in 2005.
For his part, Senior Associate Justice Leonen emphasized in his message that “[t]he words we use and how we deploy them in our decisions and in our publications have power.”
“They have the power to normalize the dysfunctions in our society. They too have the power to reveal and liberate,” he continued.
In the book’s Foreword, Justice Leonen wrote that the SC Stylebook was created “to achieve uniformity and consistency in style, one that is not merely superficial, but also aims to promote justice” in line with the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), the Court’s blueprint of action for judicial reform.
During the launch, Chief Justice Gesmundo urged Justices, judges, and lawyers to abide by the Stylebook, “towards a judiciary that is not just better but more responsive to the needs of our people, and with this, let us leave an indelible mark of wisdom, compassion, and inclusivity in our decisions.”
In attendance during the launch were Justices of the SC, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan, as well as SC officials, judges, officials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Philippine Association of Law Schools, and court attorneys.
The SC Stylebook has 15 Chapters, including “Fundamental Principles of Legal Writing,” “Word Choice,” “Significant Grammar Rules,” “Employing Inclusive Language,” “Writing Supreme Court Decisions,” and “General Rules on Citation,” among others.
Copies of the SC Stylebook are available for purchase at the SC Library at P500 each for a hardbound copy, and P300 each for a softbound copy. Income from sales of the SC Stylebook shall form part of the Judiciary Development Fund. The Stylebook may also be downloaded for free at the SC website via https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/supreme-court-stylebook/. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo delivers the keynote message at the Launch of the Stylebook of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC Stylebook) on January 31, 2024 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (center) poses for posterity with Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen (left of Chief Justice Gesmundo) and Associate Justices (from left) Jhosep Y. Lopez, Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Mario V. Lopez, and Jose Midas P. Marquez at the launch of the Stylebook of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC Stylebook) on January 31, 2024 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Ermita, Manila. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (center) and Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen (left of Chief Justice Gesmundo) pose for posterity with Justices of the Supreme Court (SC), Court of Appeals (CA), Sandiganbayan (SBN), and the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) at the launch of the Stylebook of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC Stylebook) on January 31, 2024 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Ermita, Manila. In the photo are (from left) CTA Presiding Justice Roman G. Del Rosario; SBN Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang; CA Presiding Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo; SC Associate Justices Jhosep Y. Lopez, Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Mario V. Lopez, Jose Midas P. Marquez; SBN Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez; and CA Associate Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)