Kerala High Court Bench indicates physical hearing might restart in two weeks

Physical hearing might resume in Kerala High Court in another two weeks, a Division Bench of the High Court indicated on Tuesday..Sources confirmed to Bar & Bench that the Bench while hearing matters virtually, spoke about the recent protests by High Court lawyers against the non-resumption of regular physical sitting and filing of cases.The Bench then said that the Court would most likely begin physical proceedings in two weeks, the source said. The senior judge apparently also commented that advocates are protesting against the virtual court system as they are not being given work from lawyers who reside outside the district of Ernakulam, where the High Court is situated. The High Court is yet to release any official statement or notification regarding resumption of physical hearing. Meanwhile, a meeting has also been convened today by the High Court to deliberate on the suggestions received from various parties and advocates' associations on restoration of regular physical sitting at the Court.The meeting of the Committee for Redressal of Grievances of Advocates' Associations/Lawyers, Kerala High Court Advocates' Clerks' Association and staff members of the High Court will be held today to deliberate on the representation received from the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) to restart physical functioning of the Court..The KHCAA had written to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court requesting that physical hearings at the High Court and all subordinate courts in the State be resumed from November 1, 2021"This bar believes that even while waging a relentless war against Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot allow the stalemate in part to continue for long in the matter of the physical full functioning of our Courts as the present situation is certain to seriously affect the strength and credibility of the legal system itself", the letter had said..On Monday, the KHCAA had organised a protest meet against the non-resumption of physical hearings at the High Court and subordinate courts in the State..Several lawyers met near the KHCAA office and wore protest badges demanding to restore physical hearing, filing and posting as was done in pre-lockdown days..Update: The KHCAA has now released a notice informing its members that the meeting held with the Grievances Committee has resulted in a decision to commence physical hearing and posting which will come into effect any day between November 8- 15.Any requests for virtual hearing made for personal reasons will be considered but the details of this aspect haven't been considered yet. Pertinently, considering the health risk, the High Court administration has insisted that all persons entering the High Court must be vaccinated against COVID-19 with both doses. KHCAA will be issuing passes to its members certifying their vaccination status.[Read Notice]