Compulsory E-Filing Of Cases & Docs In Courts Is Administrative Matter Of Judiciary, Central Govt Has No Role To Play, Law Ministry

However, the Law Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the Department of Justice has requested all Central & State Government Departments including the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to use eFiling in all commercial disputes coming up in the commercial courts. Further, he added that instructions have been issued by the eCommittee of the Supreme Court to all High Courts to ensure that all Government litigation should be efiled.

The aforesaid information was provided in response to the following questions raised by MP Vishnu Dayal Ram:

"(a) Whether the compulsory e-filing of cases and documents in courts undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemicwill be continued as a permanent measure; (b) if so, the details thereof"

Further, he also informed that the Department of Justice has also advised all Central Ministries/ Departments to use eFiling in all Government litigation. A similar communication has also been sent by the Department of Legal Affairs to all Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India, as well as to all Law Officers for e-filing in respect of litigation on behalf of Union of India by the Ministries/ Departments concerned, includingAutonomous Bodies/Subordinate Offices/ Attached Offices and PSUs under their administrative control, he added.

MP Vishnu Dayal Ram also sought details regarding the Government's initiatives to reduce excessive waste of paper when legal proceedings are undertaken.

In this regard, the Law Minister responded that the Department of Justice in close coordination with the eCommittee of the Supreme Court of India is implementing the eCourts Phase I and Phase II with the objective of universal computerisation of all the District & Subordinate Court complexes. This has helped in digitization which has resulted in reduction of excessive waste of paper during legal proceedings, he added.

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