Code of Judicial Conduct / Ethics
SECTION 21. Preliminary grievance meeting in complaints involving less serious and light offenses. - In administrative complaints involving less serious and light offenses, where the complainant and the respondent belong to the same office, branch, or court station, the JIO shall not, in the meantime, docket the complaint and instead shall direct them to undergo a mandatory preliminary grievance meeting to explore the possibility of resolving the grievance by discussion. At least two grievance meetings shall be conducted, taking no longer than 60 days from the first meeting.
Should there be a resolution of the complaint, the JIO shall record such resolution and declare the case closed and terminated. If there is no resolution despite the meetings, the complaint shall be docketed and processed like other complaints.
Even if there is a resolution of the grievance, but the Judicial Integrity Officer determines that there is basis to proceed on another ground independent of the grievance, the JIO shall docket that part of the complaint and proceed accordingly.