[COVID-19 spike] Orissa High Court to revert to virtual hearing; Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court regulates entry

In the view of recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the Orissa High Court has notified that it shall revert to virtual mode of hearing cases from April 5 while the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has issued fresh guidelines regulating entry of lawyers and barring entry of litigants into its premises. .Here is an overview of the guidelines which have been issued..Orissa High Court The Court notified on March 31 that it shall function only through virtual mode/ video conferencing from April 5, 2021. The following guidelines have been issued which will come into effect from April 5. .Filing of cases: Cases should be either filed through the drop-box near the the premises or via email or the e-portal. Grant of certified copies: The grant of certified copies have been suspended and the orders available on the official website shall be utilized in place of certified copies. Functioning of subordinate courts and Tribunals: The functioning of the lower courts and various tribunals would be as usual in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure as prescribed. However, if there is any such situation, wherein the tribunals or the subordinate courts want to resort to virtual mode, then they can intimidate the same to the District judge or the High Court (in case of tribunals)..Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court notified on April 1 that it has decided to bar the entry of litigants within the court premises from April 5. Entry of lawyers will also be regulated. Even the Photo affidavit centre would be closed with 'immediate effect' in view of the spike in cases. The government of Uttar Pradesh also notified that 'entire' Uttar Pradesh has again been infected with Covid-19 infection. The following are the guidelines issued by Allahabad High Court which will come into effect from April 5. .Photo Affidavit Centre, closed: The Photo Affidavit Centre, Allahabad High Court, Lucknow shall be closed with immediate effect. "The requirement of filing affidavits shall remain exempted. In lieu thereof, the Counsel shall have to submit in the petitions the Aadhar Card number," the notice said. Limited entry: Litigants will not be allowed entry into High Court premises from April 5. Only those advocates will be permitted to enter the court rooms/ corridors whose cases are listed before the court. Award Bar Elections: During the upcoming Awadh Bar Association elections, all lawyers have to strictly follow the guidelines related to COVID-19 (i.e. social distancing, wearing masks etc.). "In the upcoming elections of Awadh Bar Association, no kind of canvassing shall be allowed in the premises of Hon’ble Court. Further, during the election campaigning, not more than 5 advocates shall be permitted to assemble at a place," the notice further said. .[Read the Allahabad High Court notification] .[Read the Orissa High Court notification]