[Coronavirus Lockdown] Bombay HC allows the release of vessel in amicably settled admiralty suit via video conferencing

While dealing with a commercial admiralty suit via video conferencing, in which the parties had amicably settled their dispute, the Bombay High Court has allowed the release of an arrested offshore supply vessel. .A single Judge bench of Justice AK Menon noted that Advocates of both parties had sent in their "Consent Terms", which was signed by both the plaintiff and the defendant. .In view of the same, the Court has passed an order recording the Consent terms and vacating orders to arrest the vessel, provided there are not pending caveats and subject to the payment of all costs, charges and expenses to the Sheriff of Bombay. .The Court further directed the Sheriff of Bombay to act on the order and the settlement between the two parties in the consent minutes..Another case heard by the High Court on Friday concerned an application seeking the extension of time till April 30 for depositing the balance amount of a sum of Rs.1.54 Crores agreed to be paid by the applicant. .The Court had already given a three-month extension for the payment of this sum back in January, this year. This extended term was due to expire on April 5. .The plea for a further extension was moved given the restrictions in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. The respondents also informed through their counsel that they had no objection to allowing the extension, in view of the prevalent restrictions arising out of the COVID 19 pandemic and the inability of the parties to attend regular court and office..Therefore, Justice AK Menon allowed the application, stating that the, "Time to deposit the balance amount due and payable by the applicant-petitioner to the respondent nos.2 and 3 pursuant to order dated 6th January 2020 is extended up to 30th April 2020.".[Read the orders here]