Gujarat High Court introduces hybrid hearing of cases on pilot basis

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday introduced hybrid hearing of cases on a pilot basis. .The hybrid functioning model of the court combines virtual and physical hearings, allowing litigants and lawyers to participate in court proceedings either through online video conferences or by physically attending the courtroom..For now, the hybrid mode of hearing can be opted for the matters listed on Thursdays before the Division Benches presided by Acting Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice Vipul M Pancholi. Once the causelist for Thursdays' benches is released, advocates who are registered with the High Court and represent parties involved in the listed cases can notify the registry of their preference to appear via video conference. They also must mention any other advocate or senior advocate appearing with them during the virtual proceedings. These can be done by selecting the online hybrid hearing option on the case status page of the Gujarat High Court website latest by 10 am on the Thursday on which the matter is listed..According to a circular issued by the High Court, the Gujarat High Court (Live Streaming of Court Proceedings) Rules, 2021 will be applicable to hybrid hearings as well. The circular also states that once the pilot implementation of hybrid hearings is deemed successful, the facility will be gradually expanded to other benches of the High Court..The Manipur High Court had also recently started hearing cases via hybrid mode.The Computer Committee of the Manipur High Court is currently in the process of implementing hybrid functioning in the District Courts of Manipur as well.