It has been notified that the suspension of physical functioning of the High Court of Delhi and its subordinate Courts has been extended until July 15, 2020.

The notifications can be accessed at: http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_54ISE3I9MMI.PDF and http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_1JWS36WB4A5.PDF

The High Court of Delhi has published the ‘Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2020’. These rules elaborate on the procedure to be followed at various stages in Court proceedings which are being conducted through Video Conferencing. The rules can be accessed at: http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_E5XZG1G6UD8.PDF.

In furtherance of the High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2020, the Court has notified that links for viewing court hearings can be obtained by contacting the concerned Court Master/court official on their mobile phone numbers published in the cause list by 9 p.m. on the day prior to the date of hearing. If the concerned Court Master/court official cannot be contacted by 9 pm on the date prior to the date of hearing, the person seeking a link should get in touch with the Court Master/court official by 10 a.m. on the day of the hearing.

The Court has further clarified that no request will be entertained once the hearing has commenced, except with the permission of the court.

The notification can be accessed at: http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_VHTTKW9Q8XI.PDF

The Supreme Court has notified that any advocate seeking relief in urgent matters, either on court holidays or after court hours shall first approach the Vacation Officer who after screening, shall seek directions from the Competent Authority and thereafter inform the advocate concerned about the directions. The list of Vacation Officers can be accessed at: https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/cir/22062020_140741.pdf.

The Supreme Court of India issued a notice (on June 19, 2020) elaborating on the manner of functioning of the Court during the summer vacation. Some of the points of particular importance are as follows:

1. During the first week of the summer vacations (viz. from June 22 to June 26, 2020), two Division Benches, one Hon’ble Court of Judges in Chamber and one Registrar Court will conduct hearings through Video Conferencing/ Tele-conferencing mode.
2. During the second week (viz. from June 29, 2020 to July 3, 2020), the hearings will be conducted on June 30, 2020 and July 3, 2020 through Video Conferencing/ Tele-conferencing mode.
3. The existing ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for Advocates and party-inperson uploaded on the website on 14.06.2020 will continue to operate and be followed for listing and hearing of matters before Hon’ble Judge in-Chamber and Ld. Registrar Court.
4. The matters mentioned on grounds of urgency before Vacation Courts will be placed before the competent authority and only after the approval thereof, the matter may be processed for listed before the Court.
5. The physical Filing Counter will be closed for two weeks and filing of documents will be allowed through e-filing. However, in case of extreme exigency, the Registry may open the physical Filing Counter.

The notification can be accessed at: https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/cir/19062020_132630.pdf