Short answer. You must file eighteen clearly legible copies of the petition together with proof of service on all adverse parties. Procedurally, the case follows Rules 46, 48, 49, 51, 52 and Rule 56 itself, treating references to the Court of Appeals in those rules as references to the Supreme Court.
What the law says
The procedure in original cases for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto and habeas corpus shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Constitution, laws, and Rules 46, 48, 49, 51, 52 and this Rule, subject to the following provisions: a) All references in said Rules to the Court of Appeals shall be understood to also apply to the Supreme Court; b) The portions of said Rules dealing strictly with and specifically intended for appealed cases in the Court of Appeals shall not be applicable; and c) Eighteen clearly legible copies of the petition shall be filed, together with proof of service on all adverse parties. The proceedings for disciplinary action against members of the judiciary shall be governed by the laws and Rules prescribed therefor, and those against attorneys by Rule 139-B, as amended.
Rule 56, Section 2 — Rules applicable. Read the full provision →
Borrowing the Court of Appeals rules, with adjustments
Rule 56, Section 2 does not create an entirely separate procedural code for original certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus petitions filed with the Supreme Court. Instead, it borrows the applicable provisions of Rules 46, 48, 49, 51, 52, and Rule 56 itself — rules originally written with the Court of Appeals in mind — and redirects them to the Supreme Court. This approach avoids duplicating an entire separate set of procedural rules solely for original petitions filed directly with the highest court, relying instead on the same framework already familiar from Court of Appeals practice.
What changes in the translation
Two adjustments make that borrowing work. First, every reference in those rules to the Court of Appeals is read as also referring to the Supreme Court. Second, any portions of those rules that are strictly and specifically intended for appealed cases in the Court of Appeals — as opposed to original cases — simply do not apply, since an original Supreme Court petition is not an appeal from a lower court decision.
The eighteen-copy and disciplinary carve-outs
The section then adds a filing-specific requirement: eighteen clearly legible copies of the petition, filed together with proof of service on all adverse parties. It also carves out disciplinary proceedings from this general procedural scheme — those against judiciary members follow their own prescribed laws and rules, while those against attorneys follow Rule 139-B specifically. The eighteen-copy requirement is notably higher than what is typically required for filings at the Court of Appeals or the trial court level, reflecting both the number of justices who sit on the Supreme Court and the volume of internal review a petition filed there tends to receive.
Related provisions
- Rule 56, Section 2 — Rules applicable
- Rule 56, Section 1 — Original cases cognizable
- Rule 56, Section 3 — Mode of appeal