Delhi High Court Modifies Office Order, Allows Lawyers To Appear Either By Physical Or Virtual Mode
After massive backlash on its decision to resume physical hearings, the Delhi High Court has permitted lawyers to appear before it via-video conferencing, on an advance intimation. Though an office order issued under the authority of Chief Justice DN Patel, it is intimated: "Matters shall be taken up through physical mode as per the Roster of Sitting of the Hon'ble Judges of this...
After massive backlash on its decision to resume physical hearings, the Delhi High Court has permitted lawyers to appear before it via-video conferencing, on an advance intimation.
Though an office order issued under the authority of Chief Justice DN Patel, it is intimated:
"Matters shall be taken up through physical mode as per the Roster of Sitting of the Hon'ble Judges of this Court. However, request for taking up any such matter through virtual mode shall be entertained by the Court wherever advance intimation is provided."
The decision comes days after the Supreme Court disposed of two pleas challenging the decision to resume large-scale physical hearings (without an option to appear through virtual mode), with "trust" that the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court "will do the needful".
"We see the gravity of the problem. Primarily, we do not interfere with the administrative decisions of the Chief Justices. We will ask you to go back to the High Court and address your grievances there", CJI SA Bobde had said on a posting date.
On Wednesday, the Top Court disposed of the petitions as withdrawn after the submissions of Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal that a meeting was scheduled for today with the Delhi High Court Registrar-General to discuss the issue.
On Friday, the Registrar General issued an office order, inter alia intimating that request for taking up any such matter through virtual mode shall be entertained by the Court wherever advance intimation is provided.
The RG has also intimated that the High Court is already taking steps for hybrid hearing so that in a given case, one party may join the proceedings through virtual mode while the other is present physically in the Court.
Till such time, lawyers will have an option to opt for virtual hearings.
The decision of the Delhi High Court to resume large-scale physical hearing before itself and subordinate courts in Delhi with effect from January 18 was challenged in view of the fact that it compels the advocates, court staff, litigants and other persons appearing before the Courts to put at risk their own, as well as their family members' health in order to earn livelihood.
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