Kerala District Judiciary Proposes To Change Sitting Time Of Courts

A proposal to change the sitting time of courts in the District Judiciary of Kerala is currently underway. 

The sitting time of courts in the District Judiciary is prescribed under Rule 9 of the Kerala Civil Rules of Practice (not later than 11:00A.M. - not before 5:00 P.M.) and Rule 5 of the Kerala Criminal Rules of Practice (10:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.). 

The Kerala High Court had also issued a circular subsequently proposing the working hours of the district judiciary as from 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., with an interval of 45 minutes from 1:15-2:00 P.M. 

However, on taking note that courts in the District Judiciary often start sitting comparatively late, and that the actual work often starts only in the afternoon session with the time in the forenoon session being taken up for roll call, a proposal to change the sitting time of the District courts so as to effectively utilise the forenoon session is being considered by the High Court.

Upon the recommendation of the High Court's Rule Committee, the opinion of the Bar Associations of the State has thus been sought to be obtained by the Bar Council of Kerala in this matter, which is to be informed to the High Court before September 30, 2023.