"Hybrid Courts Are Also Courts": Delhi HC Objects To Lawyer Appearing On VC From Park, Calls For Sensitization To Ensure Courtroom Decorum

Taking exception to a lawyer appearing through videoconferencing while standing in a park with a mobile phone in his hand, the Delhi High Court has called for sensitization of lawyers on maintaining decorum while appearing in hybrid courts.

Justice Girish Kathpalia asked the Delhi High Court Bar Association as well as all District Court Bar Associations to sensitize the members of the Bar regarding their appearances in hybrid courts.

The Court said that it has been noticed in various cases that appearance through videoconferencing must be encouraged because it is extremely difficult for advocates to run around different courts in Delhi. It further noted that the establishment has already incurred substantial expenditure on electronic infrastructure of virtual courts.

“Further, when an advocate sitting in her/his office wants to appear through videoconferencing before different court complexes on same day, she/he can assist the courts with convenience and in a better manner. But for that, the counsel has to understand that the decorum of the court must be kept in mind,” the Court said.

It added: “Quite often, on account of connectivity issues at the end of counsel appearing through videoconferencing the counsel remains inaudible. Often, the video is not switched on. The hybrid courts also are courts only. Even in the daily cause list of this Court, specific directions to maintain decorum while appearing through videoconferencing are circulated everyday. But to no avail.”

The Court was dealing with a regular first appeal (RFA) wherein few individuals had challenged the judgment of the trial court for recovery of money. The lawyer for the appellants had appeared through VC while standing in a park.

As the order was being dictated, the lawyer switched off his video. Accordingly, the Court did not mark the appearance of the lawyer.

“Although that can call for dismissal of the appeal in default, but doing so would cause harm to the litigant who is not at fault. As such, I have examined the record,” the Court said.

While relisting the matter for hearing on July 22, the Court ordered: “The Registry is directed to extract paragraphs 3 and 4 of this order and send the same to the Delhi High Court Bar Association as well as Bar Associations of all Districts of Delhi with the request to sensitize the members of the Bar with regard to appearance in hybrid courts.”

Title: SHOBHA VERMA AND ANR v. ASHOK KAPOOR

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 178

Click here to read order