Virtual Hearing Can't Substitute Physical Hearing; Will Come Up With Economic Relief For Lawyers Soon: Law Minister Kiren Rijiju

Newly appointed Law Minister Kiren Rijiju recently said that the virtual hearing of cases by courts can't be a substitute for the in-person hearings/physical hearings and that the Government will soon come up with some kind of economic relief for the Lawyers' community.

Union Law Minister also said that he will try to have a discussion with the Chief Justices of all the High Courts to return to normalcy and that he already had a discussion with the Chief Justice of India regarding this issue.

"I am well aware of the problems being faced by the lawyer...Challenge is for the entire country but there are other sectors where things can function despite pandemic but Virtual hearing cannot be a substitute for in-person hearing. I had a word with the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India. I will try to have a discussion with the Hon'ble Chief Justices of different High Courts to ensure that we come back to the normalcy because the situation is better," Union Law Minister Rijiju said.

He further said that he had a discussion with the Finance Minister as well regarding the economic issues being faced by the Lawyers and he expressed hope that very soon the Government will be coming up with some kind of relief for the benefit of the Lawyers.

Law Minister Rijiju was speaking at an event organized by the Bar Council of India on July 25 to facilitate him.

Legal Education

Union Law Minister also stressed that it was very necessary to raise the standards of the Law Colleges and that it was an ordinary task to establish a law college.

"It is not like opening a coaching center and start giving out degrees, so rules and processes regarding the establishment of law colleges, if followed properly, then I don't think there would be any problems. We will support the existing law colleges and raise their standards," he further said.

Importantly, the Law Minister also said that he is open to receiving inputs from the Bar Council Of India regarding necessary amendments in the Advocates Act.