Kerala High Court Designates Committees To Provide Assistance To Judicial Officers, Staff, Advocates, Advocate Clerks Suffering From Covid

Following the recommendation of the Kerala High Court's Administrative Committee, the High Court has included Advocates and Advocate Clerks within the group of persons who can avail the aid of a Committee in the event the test positive for Covid-19.

An earlier order had already included judicial officers/ Staff within the group of those who can avail the help of a Committee formed for the purpose of rendering aid.

The said order had directed for the formation of a Committee at the District level to aid judicial officers and staff, since they "are more vulnerable to the disease", being part of an essential service that needs to be functional during the pandemic.

These directions were therefore issued -

1. The District Judge shall nominate a senior judicial officer in each court centre, who shall immediately report to the District Judge, if any judicial officer or staff in the court centre turns covid positive. 

2. The District Judge shall also constitute a Committee at the District level consisting of the District Judge, one or two Additional District Judges, the Chief Judicial Magistrate and a representative of the staff. 

3. As and when the District Judge gets intimation regarding any judicial officer or member of staff turning covid19 positive, the said Committee shall look into it and keep a watch on the condition of the said patient and ensure all medical help. They shall contact the District Medical Officer in this regard, if necessary. 

4. The District Judge shall also inform the Judge in charge of the District concerned and the Registrar, all such instances and alert if anything is to be done at High Court level.

5. The aforesaid Committee shall also attend to any emergency in respect of the family members of the judicial officers. 

All the District Judges are directed to take immediate steps accordingly. 

Now, with the inclusion of Advocates and Clerks among those who can avail the services of the Committee, the High Court has directed the expansion of the Committee by including President/Secretary of District Court Bar Association. The said member shall be instructed to report to the Committee if any Advocate or Advocate clerk in the District turns covid positive, it has been stipulated.

Click here to read the First Notification

Click here to read the second notification