Physical Court Hearings To Resume Soon With Virtual Courts In Hybrid Manner: Chief Justice Of India Assures

CJI said this in a meeting called by him on Monday, which was attended by the Solicitor General, the Chairman Bar Council of India, officer bearers of Supreme Court Bar Association and Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association, and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh. The resumption of physical hearings in a hybrid manner will be based on normal listing of cases and not based on consent of the Advocates On Record or Advocates.

The Court has also decided to permit the physical access to the Registry to the Advocates On Record and their assignees or nominees from 8th February 2021. This decision has been taken pursuant to a Representation being made by SCAORA seeking the same on January 31st 2021.

Apart from the resumption of physical hearings, it has been decided that the timing of the chambers will be extended and relaxed and the mentioning of Cases will also be allowed soon based on categories of urgencies in a phased manner.

The Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association had on Sunday written to the Chief Justice of India seeking resumption of physical hearings with the existing virtual Courts in a hybrid manner. The Association through its Representation also requested for access to the Registry being granted to the Advocates and AORs,for following up urgent matters related to registry issues including mentioning, urgent listing of matters, inconsistencies in refilling etc. Previously, the Executive Committee of Supreme Court Bar Association and Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association had also submitted a joint representation seeking resumption of physical hearings.