The Calcutta High Court on Saturday has issued a notice communicating its decision to resume physical hearings from Tuesday i.e. from March 7, 2022. However, virtual hearings can be opted by senior lawyers over 65 years of age or lawyers with comorbidities or other problems after complying with the laid down procedure.
As West Bengal has been witnessing a drop in Covid-19 cases recently, the High Court has decided to shift from virtual hearings.
The notification issued by the Registrar General pursuant to the recommendations buy the Covid Committee of the High Court and the Chief Justice further stipulates that advocates who wish to appear through video conferencing would be given the option to do so upon their request in conformity with the following guidelines,
(i) As and when the case is called on, a request may be made to the court by a lawyer to appear virtually citing any of the above circumstances.
(ii) Thereupon the Court on being satisfied may grant leave to the lawyer to appear virtually.
(iii) A link for that purpose may be requested for by the learned lawyer and provided to him by the Registry in advance of the hearing of the case.
(iv) A lawyer making a request to appear virtually should ensure that his junior is physically present in court, in case leave to appear virtually is refused by the court.
It has been further stipulated that not more than 20 lawyers shall be allowed in the court room at a particular point of time. The Court timings shall be from 10.30 A.M. till 1 P.M. and 2 P.M. till 4.30 P.M.
Dual mode of filing has also been allowed. Filing may be made by E-mode or physically, the notification further reads.
The directions shall also apply to the District judiciary including the City Civil Court, Calcutta, City Sessions Court, Calcutta and Presidency Small Causes Court, Calcutta, as far as practicable.
Click Here To Read/Download Notification
Source: https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/calcutta-high-court-subordinate-courts-to-resume-physical-hearings-from-tuesday-march-7-193468
