SC to commence hybrid physical hearing of cases from March 15
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“On an experimental foundation, and as a pilot scheme, the ultimate hearings/common issues listed on Tuesdays, (*15*) and Thursdays could also be heard within the hybrid mode.”
The Supreme Court, which is hearing cases by way of video-conferencing since March final yr due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will commence hybrid physical hearing from March 15.
The apex court docket has issued the usual working process (SOP) for the hybrid physical hearings.
The prime court docket has been hearing cases by way of video-conferencing since March final yr due to the pandemic and a number of other bar our bodies and legal professionals have been demanding that physical hearings ought to resume instantly.
“On an experimental basis, and as a pilot scheme, the final hearings/regular matters listed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays may be heard in the hybrid mode, as may be decided by the bench, considering the number of parties in a matter as well as the limited capacity of the courtrooms; all other matters, including those listed on Mondays and Fridays, shall continue to be heard through video/tele-conferencing mode,” stated the SOP issued by the apex court docket.
“The hybrid physical hearings are to commence with effect from March 15, 2021,” it added.
It stated until in any other case directed by a bench, the ultimate hearings or common issues the place the quantity of legal professionals for the events is larger than the typical working capability of the courtrooms in accordance to COVID-19 norms, that’s 20 per courtroom at any given time, shall invariably be listed for hearing by way of the video or tele-conferencing mode.
“…however, in case the bench directs hearing of such matters to be held through the hybrid mode, the appearance of the parties, whether by physical presence or through video/tele-conferencing, will be facilitated as per the directions of the bench,” the SOP stated.
It stated if the quantity of events is larger than the desired quantity in a matter listed for hybrid hearing, then one advocate-on-record (AOR) and one arguing counsel per occasion can be allowed entry.
It stated one registered clerk per occasion, as could also be chosen by the AOR, shall be allowed entry to carry paper-books or journals of legal professionals up to the courtrooms.
“In any such matter as may be listed for hybrid hearing, all the counsels appearing for one party can appear either through physical presence or through video/tele-conferencing,” it stated.
The SOP stated AORs might submit their preferences for showing earlier than the court docket both bodily or by way of the video or tele-conferencing mode inside 24 hours or by 1 pm the following day after the publication of the weekly listing of remaining hearings or common issues.
“If the advocate-on-record for a party does not opt for either mode i.e physical or video/tele-conferencing mode, it shall be presumed that counsels for the party seek to appear through video/tele-conferencing mode and will be facilitated accordingly,” it stated.
“In case of a matter directed to be listed for hybrid hearing by the bench, none of the parties opts for physical hearing, the matter would be taken up for hearing through video/tele-conferencing,” the SOP stated.
It stated entry into the high-security zone of the apex court docket by way of proximity playing cards or long-term passes shall be saved suspended until additional orders.
“Entry of counsels/parties or such other stakeholders to appear inside courtrooms for hybrid hearings will be through daily ‘special hearing passes’, which will be issued by the registry on the basis of authorisation by the concerned advocate on record,” it added.
The SOP stated topic to the capability of a courtroom, the entry of events in a matter will probably be permitted not sooner than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the hearing of the matter.
“It may be noted that wearing of masks, frequent use of hand sanitiser and maintaining physical-distancing norms are mandatory for all entrants into the Supreme Court premises, including into the courtrooms,” it stated.
“Advocates/counsels having more than one case for hybrid hearings in the courtrooms shall be issued separate special hearing passes for each case and after the hearing of one case is complete, they may wait in the designated staging/waiting area(s) for the purpose of appearing for the next hearing(s),” it stated.
The SOP added that so as to facilitate video or tele-conferencing for advocates, a devoted VC facilitation centre is there within the extra constructing advanced of the apex court docket.
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