Procedural Reform: Key Amendments to the 2025 NLRC Rules of Procedure (Part 1)

The 2025 NLRC Rules introduce significant modifications to the procedural framework governing proceedings before the NLRC.

Author

Alburo Law
March 23, 2026

Signature and Verification

Under the new rules, Section 1 of Rule III provides among others that all complainants or petitioners shall sign the complaint or petition, and shall execute a verification and certification of non-forum shopping.

Filing and Service of Pleadings 

Section 3 of Rule III allows the filing and service of the pleadings by personal service, registered mail, or courier service, to wit:

“Section 3. PLEADINGS; FILING AND SERVICE –  xxx. Filing and service of pleadings shall be proved by the following:

  1. For personal filing and service – the written or stamped acknowledgment of the party served, the Regional Arbitration Branch or the Commission, as the case may be; or the return of the server, containing a statement of the date, place, and manner of service;

  2. For registered mail – the registry receipt issued by the mailing office; and

  3. For courier service – the courier’s official receipt or tracking document.

In the event that a pleading is filed through registered mail or courier authorized by the Commission, the date of mailing shall be considered as the date of filing thereof.

No pleading or any other paper shall be given due course without proof of service to the opposing party, except if filed simultaneously during the scheduled setting before the Labor Arbiter.”

Appearance of Lawyers 

Section 6(a) of Rule III states that a lawyer appearing before the NLRC shall, at all times, respect the law, the institution, its officials, employees, and processes, and act with courtesy, civility, fairness and candor. 

A lawyer shall not delegate to or permit a non-lawyer, including a paralegal personnel, to:

  1. accept cases on behalf of the said lawyer;

  2. give legal advice or opinion;

  3. act independently without the lawyer’s supervision or direction;

  4. hold himself/herself out as a lawyer, or be named in association with a lawyer in any pleading or submission to the NLRC;

  5. appear before the NLRC or actively participate in formal legal proceedings on behalf of a client, except when allowed by the law or rules;

  6. conduct negotiations with third parties unless under a lawyer’s supervision or direction;

  7. sign correspondence containing a legal opinion; or

  8. perform any of the duties that only lawyers may undertake.

A lawyer shall not share, split or divide or stipulate to divide, directly or indirectly, a fee for legal services with persons or organizations not licensed or authorized to practice law.

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Alburo Alburo & Associates Law Offices:

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