Section 46June 17, 1948, Sec./Art. 46

Clerks and other subordinate employees of Courts of First Instance. - Clerks, deputy clerks, assistants, and other subordinate employees of Courts of First Instance shall, for administrative purposes, belong to the Department of Justice; but in the performance of their duties they shall be subject to the supervision of the Judges of the courts to which they respectively pertain.

The clerks of Courts of First Instance shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. No person shall be appointed clerk of court unless he is duly authorized to practice law in the Philippines: Provided, however, That this requirement shall not affect persons who, at the date of the approval of this Act, are holding the position of clerk of court, nor those who have previously qualified in the Civil Service examination for said position;

The clerk of a Court of First Instance may, by special written deputization approved by the judge, authorize any suitable person to act as his special deputy and in such capacity to perform such functions as may be specified in the authority granted.