[COVID-19] Supreme Court to consider the feasibility of allowing physical appearance by lawyers upon joint request by all parties

The Supreme Court today notified that it would explore the feasibility of allowing the physical appearance of lawyers before the Court if lawyers and parties to the matter send their consent for the same, should they wish to argue by appearing in person rather than through video conferencing.."Only on receipt of consent of all parties to that effect, the matter will be considered for listing before the Hon’ble Court, subject to availability of the Bench and also subject to the order of the competent authority and social distancing norms."Supreme Court notice.In its notice, the Court has said that various requests were received from lawyers and parties in person for the Court to consider and explore the feasibility of allowing physical appearance before the Court. .In light of this, the Court said that Advocates and parties in person would be required to send their joint consent for such physical appearance on the prescribed email ID i.e. consent.list@sci.nic.in .The request would be considered by the authorities for listing, subject to availability of the Bench. Needless to say, the norms of social distancing would have to be adhered to..Read the SC Notice:.Earlier today, the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) had sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India, flagging various issues that were faced by the lawyers during virtual hearings. .Lawyers unable to present cases effectively in virtual hearings, resume physical Court hearings from July: SCAORA urges CJI SA Bobde.The SCAORA had requested the CJI to resume physical Courts from July, after the end of summer vacation and in its letter and made suggestions with regard to the same.