The Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) has passed a resolution opposing a proposal by the Kerala High Court to hold regular court sittings on two Saturdays every month.

On January 22, the High Court Registrar General had written to the Bar body seeking its views on the proposal to hold regular court sittings on two Saturdays every month. On January 23, KHCAA wrote back raising its preliminary objections.

This week, the KHCAA held a general body meeting and resolved to communicate its non-willingness to have the court functioning on two Saturdays.

Instead, it decided to suggest that working hours on all working days be extended by 30 minutes. This would see courts sitting from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm instead of 4:15 pm.

In its January 23 letter raising objections, KHCAA had pointed out that the proposal to introduce regular Saturday sittings is a significant policy shift which would not only affect practicing advocates but also the broader ecosystem of administration of justice.

It had highlighted that it represents a large and diverse body of lawyers spread across Kerala, many of whom primarily depend on work from their respective district courts and convening Saturday sittings at the High Court could disproportionately affect lawyers travelling from distant districts and disrupt established professional routines.

It had also sought time to convene a General Body Meeting to discuss the matter in detail with its members.

The proposal for High Courts to sit on at least two Saturdays each month has gathered pace in recent months. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant also put forward a proposal on these lines.

However, the move has met resistance from several Bar associations, including those in Delhi and Allahabad.

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