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

Recently, the Delhi High Court e-inaugurated and activated the Online e-Filing Management System. This facility will enable one to file fresh cases as well as applications, replies, rejoinders, documents, vakalatnama etc. in pending matters, without having to visit the Court counters physically

In compliance with and pursuant to the Delhi High Court orders dated May 21, 2020 (covered by us here) and June 17, 2020, the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks and the Registrar of Copyrights have, vide Public Notices dated June 19, 2020, notified that all deadlines falling due after March 15, 2020, shall stand postponed until further notice

The Delhi High Court, on June 1, 2020, notified Video Conferencing Rules to consolidate and streamline the procedure relating to use of video conferencing in court proceedings. As per the Rules, inter alia, any party or witness to the proceeding, in consultation with other party, could request for a hearing via video conferencing. The Rules can be accessed at http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/upload/Notification/NotificationFile_ULDC4UVQWZ9.PDF.