KHCAA Writes To Kerala High Court Chief Justice To Discontinue The E-Filing System In Accordance With Its Prior Decision

The letter states that in the aforementioned meetings held in May 2021, the decision was to discontinue the e-filing system after the lockdown or 15 days, whichever was earlier. However, it contends that the Registry of the Kerala High Court has failed to issue an order communicating the same till now, thereby leading to the continuation of the system.

KHCAA has pointed out that the initial draft document had proposed the system to continue for another 30 days, but this was reduced to 15 days upon discussion on May 17 2021. Thus, the decision of the High Court Administration to continue the e-filing system was a purely provisional arrangement for 15 days.

The Judge's meeting held on May 18 2021 brought an additional clause of '15 days or expiry of lockdown, whichever is earlier', purportedly due to the realization that the system should be discontinued at the earliest.

The said 15 days elapsed on June 4 2021 and the e-filing system still continues till date. The continuation of both filing systems simultaneously has allegedly brought about a nationwide 'digital divide' and consequential problems for smooth dispensation of justice.

The letter also mentions how the KHCAA offered to cooperate with the 'Functional Requirement Study' of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology on May 27 2021, solely on the pretext of this understanding.

The Association is deeply aggrieved by this stalemate and seeks immediate action to discontinue the e-filing system, failing which the High Court Bar will be constrained to take appropriate steps to protect the genuine interests of its members.