Surge In Omicron Cases: Madras High Court Reverts To Virtual Hearing Of Cases

Due to the surge in Omicron variant of Covid-19 cases, Madras High Court has issued a notification keeping in abeyance the previous notification for resumption of physical hearings completely. As per the notification dated 2nd January, 2022, Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari has issued directions to follow virtual hearing, excluding both physical as well as hybrid modes of functioning till further orders. The decision to follow only virtual hearing from 3rd January, 2022, will be applicable both to the Principal Seat at Madras and the Madurai Bench.The mandate of virtual hearing will also be applicable to all subordinate courts in District Judiciary in the State of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry.The notification issued by the Registrar General of Madras High Court states that all virtual hearings on video conferencing platforms will remain suspended from 3rd January 2022, i.e, Monday onwards.The notification has made it clear that physical hearing and hybrid mode of hearing will remain suspended and the hearing would take place solely through the virtual mode until further orders. The notification also clarified that filing of case papers, copy applications, representing the case papers and receiving the order copies in emergent matters alone will be through e-mail. In exceptional cases, it will be through the drop boxes provided for the purpose, subject to Covid Protocol and norms.After the 9th November notification that lifted restrictions on the entry of advocates and clerks to court premises, Madras High Court had decided on 27th December, 2021, to hear cases solely through physical mode. The 27th December notification (Notification No.334/2021) has been rendered to be in abeyance by virtue of the current notification.The 9th November notification that permitted the hearing of cases in hybrid mode has also been kept in abeyance by the current notification. Among other things, the November notification had allowed the entry of advocates and clerks through all the gates, subject to covid protocol norms and security measures, which will stand suspended as of now.Click Here To Read Notification By Registrar General

Surge In Omicron Cases: Madras High Court Reverts To Virtual Hearing Of Cases

Sebin James

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