Madras High Court to function in hybrid mode from February 8; Final hearings to be taken up physically [Read notification]

The Madras High Court has notified that it will function in a hybrid manner, adopting hearing through both physical and virtual modes from February 8..The Court will hold physical hearings with respect to matters at the final hearing stage from February 8. All other matters would be heard in hybrid mode..As far as the hybrid mode of functioning is concerned, it is informed that advocates representing government functionaries or Public Sector Undertakings may appear in physical form, while the other parties would be represented on the virtual platform. Exceptions may be made with prior permission of the Bench..Appearing in physical form in matters that are not at the final stage will be the exception, not the rule, the notification highlights. .Final hearings in physical court in matters concerning writs and criminal cases would be posted in the pre-lunch session as far as possible. Appellate and original side hearing will be taken up in the post-bench session. .Time slots would be set so that 5-10 matters are taken up per hour. Alternatively, thirty-minute slots would be given, as per the directions of the Bench hearing the matter..Not more than five advocates/ advocate clerks will be permitted to be present inside the concerned court sections at a time. The entry of advocates, parties in person and clerks would be subject to strict compliance with the prescribed COVID-19 protocols..Further, not more that two advocates would be permitted for each party to a matter to enter the Court complex and court halls. A maximum of 6-10 advocates would be permitted in the court hall, depending on the size of the room..Advocates entering the court complex are to remain in the waiting areas marked by the Registry and enter the courtroom as and when their case is called. After arguments conclude, they have to the leave the premises..If clerks are required by advocates to assist them in bringing in heavy case files, they are permitted to enter the court premises only for this purpose and are required to leave the premises thereafter..Law students, interns, non-registered clerks, litigants, parties in person etc. would not be permitted entry into the court premises. .Case filings and related work may be done as it was done prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, subject to compliance with distancing norms, from February 8..Lawyers’ Chambers would be opened only for cleaning and sanitisation purposes..A decision on whether they can otherwise be opened will be taken in the last week of February. However, even then, not more that 50 percent of the seating capacity should be present at any given point of time. Further social distancing and other COVID-19 norms would have to be strictly followed..The advocates’ canteen will be allowed to function with a limited menu and in compliance with COVID-19 protocols applicable. The notification also contains various COVID-19 norms to be followed at the High Court. .In August last year, the Court had already partially resumed hearing matters physically, in addition to video conferencing hearings put in place in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over time, the number of Benches conducted physical hearings was increased, with some Benches also conducting both physical and virtual hearings. .The Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee is one such Bench, which has been hearing a list of cases physically each day, before other matters are taken up in the virtual court. Over time, various Judges have also acceded to requests made by counsel, on a case to case basis, for physical hearings in individual cases. .Recently, the High Court had also lifted all restrictions preventing subordinate courts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from functioning at full capacity with effect from February 8, provided applicable COVID-19 safety norms are followed..[Read Notification]