Delhi High Court, District Courts To Commence Complete Physical Hearings From March 2; Restricted Functioning Till Feb 28

The Delhi High Court and district courts will function with restricted physical hearings till February 28. There shall however be complete resumption of physical hearings from March 2.

According to the office orders issued by the Registrar of High Court:

"The aforesaid arrangement shall continue up till 28.02.2022 and from 02.03.2022, there shall be complete resumption of physical hearings in this Court. After complete resumption of physical hearing, the Courts may, in exceptional circumstances on a case-to- case basis, permit hybrid video-conferencing hearing."

For the High Court, the office order states that suitable number of Benches for physical hearings shall be constituted with effect from 14.02.2022, as per the directions of the Chief Justice.

"The remaining Benches shall continue to take up matters through video- conferencing. However, all Benches of this Court shall take up cases as per the existing system of listing of matters," the order adds.

It has further been stated that It roster for the courts of Registrar and Joint Registrar (Judicial) shall be prepared in such a manner that w.e.f. 14.02.2022, around 50% of them hold the court physically while the others take up the matters through virtual mode.

For district courts, it has been stated that around 50% of the total strength of judicial officers will hold the court physically while the others will take up the matters through virtual mode.

The orders further add:

"The Advocates, staff officials, litigants and other visitors to the Courts shall follow all the Covid-19 protocols, guidelines, directions, etc. issued by the Govt. of India, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Court administration from time to time."

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