Law students urge CJI to direct uniform usage of A4 Size Paper in courts, do away with using Legal Size paper

A letter has been sent by NGO, Whistle for Public Interest (WHIP), urging the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi to take steps so that A4 size paper is used uniformly across courts, rather than continue the archaic use of legal size paper..The letter dated September 30, written by three law students and members of the WHIP – Abhinav Singh, Akriti Agarwal and Lakshya Purohit – notes,.“As per our limited knowledge, usage of legal size paper is the result of only British Colonial Practice…The Supreme Court, UK & the Supreme Court of the United States have themselves been using A4 size paper and are fulfilling the prime purpose of administration of justice…”.While this the case, it has been pointed out that legal size paper continues to be used, in an non-uniform manner, even though A4 paper is more readily available..“In some high courts, district courts and quasi-judicial bodies, an indefinite combination of both Legal Size Paper and A4 Size Paper is being used. This disorganised and unreasonable practice of using different papers at different places is not just creating hindrance for people in accessing justice both insider and outside the court, but it also renders the entire legal system non-uniform and arbitral. This is making our legal system unfriendly and non-accessible ….…A4 Size Paper is the most accessible and universally used, unlike the Legal Size Paper which gets available only in court premises.“.The letter goes on to point out that the usage of legal size paper entails double the cost involved in using the more accessible A4 size paper. In this regard, it is also highlighted that photostat vendors charge Rs 2 for copying the legal size paper and Re. 1 for copying A4 paper..Reference is also made to a discussion conducted by the e-committee of the Supreme Court, wherein it was opined that A4 paper should be used to prepare orders, judgments, depositions etc. in the interest of uniformity..Moreover, it is highlighted that Order XV Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 also mandates the use of A4 paper in pleadings. However, the WHIP members note, “the same is not being followed, thus breaching the legislative intent of the rule framed by the Court.”.In view of these concerns, the letters have requested that appropriate directions be issued so that A4 size papers are used uniformly for court purposes across courts in the country. The letter states,.“It is our humble request to your honour to consider our concern and take necessary action in the interest of people and administration of justice, by directing the concerned authority of this Court to uniform the usage of A4 Size Paper for all pleadings from a particular future date. .In larger public inter, your honour may also direct all the High Courts and Quasi-Judicial Bodies to follow the similar practice.“.[Read the letter dated September 30, 2019]