Calcutta HC To Resume Physical Functioning On Experiment Basis June 11 [Read Notification]

In a notification issued to this effect it is stated that High Court shall start normal functioning with some only Benches, on June 11. In the subsequent week commencing June 15, the physical courts shall be held only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and thereafter, a decision may be taken as to the further course of action based on the experience of the experiment till then.

Bench set-up

• Two bail benches shall continue on the video platform but with increased frequency than at present. Additionally, a Single Bench for bail matters will be set up via video conference. All such benches will only take up petitions and applications filed on the ground of urgency.
• Two division benches and three single benches shall sit on alternate days to take up other urgent matters which are mentioned in advance and are directed to be included in the list.
• Two physical division benches shall be set up:
• one for all urgent writ appeals and urgent matters on the Original Side to be heard by a division bench and urgent tribunal matters;
• other bench will take up all other urgent Appellate Side business both civil and criminal to be taken up by a division bench except bail matters.
• Three single benches shall be set up:
• one bench for all urgent writ matters irrespective of classification;
• second bench for all urgent Original Side matters to be taken up by a single bench;
• third bench for all other urgent Appellate Side matters to be taken up by a single bench.
• The Chief Justice's bench will take PIL and all other matters to be taken up by a division bench, on video conference or in physical manner or a combination of both.

Listing

• Matters mentioned on the ground of urgency and consented to by the effective parties will be included in the list for the next scheduled day for physical hearing.
• In case of new matters, they shall be taken up only upon due representation of the parties likely to be affected by any order.
• Bail matters will be taken up every working day, via video conferencing, from June 9.

Duration of Hearings

• Every Bench will indicate a cluster of matters that will be taken up in Courts in every hour of sitting. If such matters are exhausted, other matters scheduled later in that day will not be taken up during such time. If the matters are not exhausted during the allocated time, they will stand adjourned till another day, but will not spill over into the times allotted for other matters on that particular day.
• There will be a distinct gap of about two minutes between the completion of a matter and the beginning of the next to allow changeover of the personnel appearing.

Entry in Courtrooms

• Apart from the Judges on the Bench, three Court staff and not more than eight lawyers and litigants will be allowed entry into any Court room at any given point of time.
• If a particular matter requires more lawyers, such matter will stand adjourned unless the parties agree otherwise without compromising on the number of persons being permitted entry into a particular Court room.

Dress code of Advocates

• The dress code of Learned Advocates will be as advised by the Bar Council of India, till further orders. Wearing of face mask or face shield (either) will be mandatory at all times, including when arguing in court.

Note: If at any point of time even during court hours on a court day, it is brought to the notice of the Hon'ble the Chief Justice that the distancing or other Covid protocol are not being maintained, the Chief Justice may stop the functioning and require the court premises to be cleared of personnel without prior notice.

For further details on Filing, Mentioning, etc., refere to the Notification as attached below.

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