Covid Omicron: Bombay High Court To Function In Hybrid Mode

Owing to the rise in Covid-19 cases and its variant Omicron in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court has decided to adopt a hybrid system (virtual and physical) of functioning from Tuesday to reduce crowding in courts by lawyers and litigants. The decision to switch to hybrid hearings was taken in the meeting chaired by Justice Amjad Sayed. Representatives of various bar associations in Maharashtra and from the civic body were also present for the meeting. Mumbai alone reported over 8000 covid cases on Sunday while the entire state reported 50 Omicron cases. In a standard operating procedure issued on New Years eve, mentioning matters for circulation is not permitted except in extremely urgent situations. Restricting the number of people allowed for physical hearings, the SOP states that only the advocate on record, senior counsel, and a registered clerk to carry bulky files would be allowed entry. Moreover, litigants or party-in-person would be allowed entry only in the absence of legal assistance. "The entry of the litigants in the Court premises is prohibited, unless directed by the Hon'ble Court," the SOP reads. Other restrictions include, circulation of matters being sought only by filing praecipes through e-mail. The SOP further states that for new matters, the advocate or party in person shall first procure a lodging number for their case from the filing department and only then submit the praecipes. The praecipes should be served on the other side in advance. According to the SOP, at least 48 hours should be given before the proposed listing of the matter. "Parties-in-person, advocates, their clerks and peons, the members of the media and Court staff are requested to exercise extreme caution. In the event of any breach of the above terms, Court administration would be forced to discontinue the Hybrid System and revert to Virtual Mode of hearing," according to the SOP. Click Here To Read/Download Notification

Covid Omicron: Bombay High Court To Function In Hybrid Mode

Sharmeen Hakim

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