SCAORA Requests CJI To Resume Physical Hearing In Supreme Court With Existing Virtual Courts In A Hybrid manner

The Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association has 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 has 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.

According to the Association, the process of vaccination has begun and major restrictions implemented due to COVID -19 have been curtailed and everyone is endeavouring to attain normalcy. While many Advocates, mostly junior Advocates are currently facing financial problems, many litigants are also equally facing difficulties as many matters are yet to be listed. The resumption physical hearings with the existing virtual Courts in a hybrid manner is therefore required. 

The Representation has made a note of the fact that pursuant to the prior representations, some Court halls were renovated as per the advice of the medical committee to commence physical hearings and subsequent to the same a SOP dated 12.09.2020 for limited physical hearings in Supreme Court of India, in wake of COVID -19 Pandemic was notified.

Previously, the Executive Committee of Supreme Court Bar Association and Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association had submitted a joint representation seeking resumption of physical hearings after their joint meeting.