Manipur High Court Switches To Hybrid Functioning

The Manipur High Court has recently switched to a hybrid mode of sitting, allowing litigants and advocates to participate in court proceedings both physically and through video conferencing. This move aims to streamline the legal process, promote convenience, and ensure efficient delivery of justice in these challenging times.

Under the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hybrid hearings, issued to this effect by the Registrar Judicial, the court has outlined guidelines for advocates and litigants to follow.

Firstly, the notification states that the cause list, containing the schedule of cases, can be downloaded from the court's website, the District Collector's Office, or obtained by calling the dedicated helpline number and this information is also available at the E-Sewa Kendra counters, facilitating easy access for all concerned parties.

To expedite urgent matters, litigants filing their cases electronically are required to send a memo, including the case number, e-filing number, and CNR number and this in turn ensures that necessary attention is given to time-sensitive cases.

Advocates and litigants who wish to appear before a bench via video conferencing have been asked to follow the CISCO Webex Manual and the cause list includes specific links to the video conferencing platform for each bench.

During the video conferencing session, participants are required to enter their name and item number accurately to ensure proper identification and is has been made mandatory to keep the camera on throughout the session. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in removal from the video conferencing session, as directed by the bench, the order reads.

The number of participants allowed in each video conferencing session will be determined by the bench based on the capabilities of the software and other relevant factors and further the participants have been advised not to unmute their microphones until their item number is called upon, to prevent disturbance or overlapping of sound, the order states.

Furthermore, all participants have been asked to maintain proper decorum, akin to a physical courtroom setting, and be appropriately dressed during the proceedings.

Additionally, the notification also prescribes that recording, publishing, or sharing of the video conferencing proceedings is strictly prohibited to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the court.

It is important to note that any act performed by a participant during the video conferencing session that is unrelated to the hearing or done without the bench's permission may result in disconnection from the session and then the bench will then take appropriate action as deemed necessary, the notification mandates.

Click Here To Read/Download Notification