Physical Hearings To Commence In Subordinate Courts In Tamil Nadu from January 18, 2021

The Hon'ble Administrative Committee of Madras High Court, in the meeting held on 12.12.2020, took this decision while taking into account the· past functioning of the Subordinate Courts during the entire pandemic period and in view of the fact that all other Governmental Institutions as well as other Public Institutions having repoened on full scale, subject to the COVID norms as prescribed.

Resolving that the Subordinate Courts should proceed now to function with its full capacity allowing physical hearing, it has been decided that an option of virtual hearing to the lawyers would be provided.

The Committee has further resolved,

"The functioning of all Subordinate Courts throughout the State be now also resorted to in its normal way as it was functioning prior to the resolutions passed earlier, keeping in view the special conditions prevailing during the pandemic."

Lastly, all the Principal District Judges/Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai/Chief Judge, Court of Small Causes, Chennai/Chief Judge, Puducherry have been directed to forward their suggestions with regard to functioning of the Subordinate Courts to the Registry on or before 23.12.2020 by e-mail.

It may be noted that the Allahabad High Court on Friday (18^th December) issued modalities/ guidelines which would be applicable to all the Courts (Including Tribunals) subordinate to High Court of Judicature at Allahabad with effect from 02^nd January 2021.

In November, the Delhi High Court had decided to extend restrictive hearing till January 15 in light of growing cases of COVID19 in the national capital.

As per the current mode of functioning, each Bench of the court across the three jurisdictions - civil, criminal, and original - periodically sit for physical hearings while also taking up matters through video conferencing.

Click Here To Download Official Memorandum