Amid Rising Fuel Prices, J&K High Court Adopts Virtual Hearings; Suspends LTC And Directs Staff To Pool Transport
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has issued a circular mandating a series of administrative measures, including promotion of virtual hearings, suspension of Leave Travel Concession facility, and pooling of transport for Registry officers, in response to a nationwide call for “Economic Self‑Defence” arising from concerns over rising crude oil prices and energy...
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has issued a circular mandating a series of administrative measures, including promotion of virtual hearings, suspension of Leave Travel Concession facility, and pooling of transport for Registry officers, in response to a nationwide call for “Economic Self‑Defence” arising from concerns over rising crude oil prices and energy security.
The Circular to this effect was issued by the Office of the Registrar General and shall remain in force until further orders.
The High Court directed that “in view of the nationwide call for adoption of measures relating to 'Economic Self‑Defence' amid concerns arising from rising crude oil prices and energy security,” the following measures be adopted with effect from 21.05.2026.
The circular notes that rising crude oil prices and concerns over energy security have prompted a nationwide call for measures relating to economic self‑defence. In response, the High Court has decided to implement several conservation and efficiency measures across its judicial functioning, including virtual hearings, suspension of physical inspections, and rationalisation of official transport.
High Court's Directives
With effect from 21.05.2026, the High Court shall encourage virtual hearings and virtual appearance by learned counsel, subject to observance of the decorum and protocol prescribed for virtual proceedings.
During the vacation period commencing from 08.06.2026, the nominated Vacation Benches shall deal with matters coming before them through virtual mode. However, advocates who, for unavoidable reasons, are unable to participate via video conferencing may appear physically before the Hon'ble Court(s) whenever it is functioning physically.
No physical administrative inspection or visit of the Districts shall be conducted till further orders. All administrative meetings shall be convened virtually.
The LTC facility for Judicial Officers and staff of the High Court, except those already granted, shall remain unavailable till further orders. However, for any number of days during which the LTC facility remains unavailable during any month, the relevant LTC block period shall stand extended by one month.
The Judicial Academy shall not conduct any physical training programme. All training programmes, workshops, orientations, and related academic activities shall be conducted through virtual mode only.
The Officers of the Registry shall, wherever feasible, pool the transport facilities allotted to them in order to minimize fuel consumption and ensure optimal utilization of official resources, reads the circular.