Anushka Sharma-
Published On: October 8, 2021 at 13:24 IST
The Supreme Court of India decided to revert to physical hearings on Wednesday and Thursday (non-miscellaneous days) with effect from October 20.
A modified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued by the Apex Court.
The SOP said, “In view of the encouraging response from the Bar and with a view to further facilitate hearing through physical mode, all the matters listed on Wednesday and Thursday, as non-miscellaneous days, would be heard only in the physical presence of the counsels/parties in court-rooms.”
However, if on such days, the Presiding Judge in a courtroom feels that the number of Lawyers is greater than the permitted capacity as per COVID-19 norms, the hearing of such matters shall be conducted through video/teleconferencing mode.
In any matter listed for the physical mode of hearing, a maximum of three lawyers will be allowed entry into the Courtroom. One registered Clerk per party, as chosen by the Attorney-On-Record, shall be allowed to carry important paperwork up to the Courtrooms.
The new rules mentioned, “All the matters listed on Tuesday, as a non-miscellaneous day, would also be heard in physical mode; however, on prior application by the lawyer for the party, appearance through video/tele-conferencing mode will be facilitated.”
All the matters listed on Tuesday, as a non-miscellaneous day, would also be heard in a physical hearing if the Attorney-On-Record on a prior application, makes an appearance through video/teleconferencing and applies for the same by 1.00 pm on the previous day.
The new rules marked a significant deviation from the earlier SOP issued on August 28 when the Court allowed physical hybrid as well as virtual hearing for interested lawyers. However, the SOP attracted dissent from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) as a non-starter as the SCBA President demanded a full-fledged physical hearing.
All the people entering the Court shall follow COVID-19 protocols, including thermal scanning, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distance.
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