We are truly living in unique and unprecedented times. The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause upheaval to everyone’s daily lives, including our families, work lives, communities and our brave first responders who are on the front lines leading the fight on all our behalf. As the situation continues to affect the globe, we wanted to reach out and update you on the latest updates in the legal sector, what are the types of cases which are still being heard by the courts in India and what are the industry wide best practices and precautions which must be undertaken to ensure everyone’s safety.
Court updates:
- Functioning of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Delhi High Court, Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court and courts subordinate to it suspended till 04/04/2020.
- The functioning of other Hon’ble High Courts is also restricted where special rosters have been taken out and fresh benches are formed to hear the special cases
- The Hon’ble Kerela High Court has also suspended all work from today.
- Extraordinary urgent mentioning before registrar from phone number to be released soon and only if allowed on phone, the same will be listed and hearing to take place through video conferencing.
- In subordinate courts, fresh roster of judges is out for fresh bail/stay matters and cases with urgent relief sought
- Hearings in subordinate courts to take place telephonically for urgent relief and listings
- The period of current suspension of courts shall be treated as closure of courts within the meaning of Section 4 of the Limitation Act (This shall not be applicable to all types of cases. It is advised to contact our office to confirm if the period of limitation for your case is stopped, running or would need to be filed on the first day of opening of courts, as it depends on the facts of the case and the provision of law which has been invoked)
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- All bail and stay applications to be listed only on mentioning basis after satisfying the registry / Registrar
- All stay orders against orders of arrest and sale of property in Debt Recovery Tribunals / Appellate Tribunals on urgent basis after satisfying the Presiding Officer / Chairperson
- All urgent hearings are being done through video conferencing from our office at Paschim Vihar. The synopsis/ summary of the hearing shall be sent to you through phone/email. If you still wish to attend the hearing, you are advised to reach or send only 1 representative to our office for such purpose.
- We shall make our best endeavours to provide you with the updates of your cases which were listed for hearing during the months of March and April, 2020. We further request you to wait for updates from us regarding any pending cases, as movements have been restricted forcing us to work on reduced manpower or from “work from home” basis.
