SEC. 9. Shari’ah Appellate Court Administrator and Clerk of Court. - The Supreme
Court shall, upon recommendation of the Presiding Justice of the Shari‟ah Appellate Court,
appoint the court administrator and the clerk of court of the Appellate Court. Such other
personnel as may be necessary for the Shari‟ah Appellate Court shall be appointed by the
Presiding Justice of the said court.
SEC. 10. Shari’ah Personnel Qualifications, Appointments, and Other Matters. The pertinent provisions of existing law regarding the qualifications, appointments,
compensations, functions, duties, and other matters relative to the personnel of the Court of
Appeals shall apply to those of the Shari‟ah Appellate Court.
SEC. 11. Shari’ah Appellate Court Decisions. – The decisions of Shari‟ah Appellate
Court shall be final and executory. Nothing herein contained shall, however, affect the original
and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, as provided in the Constitution.
SEC. 12. The Deputy Court Administrator. - The Deputy Court Administrator for the
autonomous region shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from among the
three (3) recommendees submitted by the Regional Governor.
SEC. 13. Bases for Interpretation of Shari’ah (Law). - The Shari‟ah courts shall
interpret Islamic law based on the following sources and order:
(1) Al-Qur‟an (The Koran);
(2) Al-Sunnah (Prophetic traditions);
(3) Al-Ijima (Consensus according to Islamic jurisprudence); and
(4) Al-Quiyas (Analogy).
SEC. 14. Shari’ah Public Assistance Office. - The Shari‟ah Public Assistance Office
shall be staffed by a Director and two (2) lawyers who are Members of the Philippine Shari‟ah
Bar. They may be assisted by such personnel as may be determined by the Regional Assembly.
(1) Unless otherwise provided by regional law, the compensation of the director and the
Shari‟ah lawyer shall be equivalent to the salary grade of a Director III and a trial
lawyer of the Public Assistance Office, respectively; and
(2) The Shari‟ah Public Assistance Office shall be established in each of the Shari‟ah
judicial districts to provide free legal assistance to poor or indigent litigants.
SEC. 15. System of Tribal Courts. - The system of tribal courts, include the Tribal
Appellate Court, for the indigenous cultural communities in the autonomous region.
(1) These courts shall determine, settle, and decide controversies and enforce decisions
involving personal and family and property rights of members of the indigenous
cultural community concerned in accordance with tribal codes of these communities;
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