Jammu Tawi, Feb 4: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has decided to resume physical hearing of cases in both High Court as well as Subordinate Courts and Tribunals in the Union Territory.
The High Court has decided that physical hearing shall resume with effect from February 8, 2021. However, with a view to ensure that there is no complacency against the spread of COVID-19 infection, following protocols shall be observed:
- Courts will function physically from 09.30 am till 05.00 pm on each working day so as to enable sanitization of premises.
- Only those Advocates shall enter the Court building whose cases are listed on that day before any of the Bench/Court.
- Only such Advocates shall be allowed entry into a Court room as may be representing a party in a given case upto the maximum of two Advocates for each party.
- As and when a case is called/displayed on a Display Board fixed outside the Court room, the appearing Advocates may enter the Court room.
- As and when their cases are finished, they shall endeavour to leave the court premises at once.
- Entry of Clerks and Agents of Advocates into Court rooms shall be prohibited. Entry of clerical staff of Advocate General's office or Standing Counsel shall be prohibited in Court rooms unless specifically summoned.
- If any litigant is compelled to argue his case personally, he shall be allowed entry into the Court premises subject to the condition that he makes an application at least two days prior to the date of hearing through e-mail to the Registrar Judicial/Presiding Officer of the Court disclosing such compelling reasons and seeking permission in that regard.
- If and when any such application is made by any litigant, the Registrar Judicial/Presiding Officer concerned shall consider the same and, if satisfied, may permit such litigant to enter into the Court premises and inform the litigant of such order by return e-mail.
- If in a given case one of the parties appearing through Advocate insists for virtual hearing for any reason such as inability to appear physically, the Court may permit him/her to argue through virtual mode and the other party may present his/her case physically or the matter may be adjourned with consent of the parties provided that advance notice for such virtual hearing is given to the concerned Bench Secretary at least a day before.
- Issuance of cause list of the High Court in printed form shall remain suspended and shall be issued in the soft form.
- Canteens located in Court Complexes shall be permitted to run subject to the strict observance of all the relevant SOPs
- All latest SOPs of the Central and UT Government regarding gathering at public places shall be followed in letter and spirit.
