F. Classification of Philippine Courts

Superior and Inferior Courts

Superior Courts are courts with controlling authority over some other court or courts, and with certain original jurisdiction of its own.

Inferior courts are those which are subordinate to other courts and whose judgements and decrees can be reviewed by the higher tribunals.

Courts of Record and Not of Record

A court of record is one keeping a written account of its proceedings which import verity, or which is so denominated by the statute of its creation. A court not of record is one which is not keeping a written account of its proceedings.

NOTE: R.A. No. 6031 mandates all Municipal Trial Courts to be courts of record.

Courts of Law and Equity

A court of law is any tribunal duly administering the laws of the land.

A court of equity is one which administers justice according to the rules and principles of equity.

Philippine courts are both courts of law and equity. (US v. Tamparong)