[BREAKING] Delhi High Court to permit virtual hearing on request made by parties

A week into mandatory physical hearings, the Delhi High Court has once again permitted virtual hearings/hyrbid hearings in cases before it. .An order to this effect was published by the High Court on Friday. ."Hon'ble Administrative and General Supervision Committee in its meeting held on 19.3.2021 has been pleased to resolve that henceforth this Court shall permit hybrid/video conference hearing where a request to this effect is made by any of the parties and/or their counsel," the order said. .Earlier this month, the High Court had ordered that from March 15, virtual hearings would be the exception and not the norm..It ordered that whenever a request for a hybrid/video conferencing hearing was made, the party concerned should not only state the exceptional circumstance for demanding such a hearing but also indicate his/her geographic location..This decision has now been rolled back. .The decision to permit virtual hearings came shortly after the Supreme Court said that it expected the High Court to show accommodation when a person requests for virtual hearing unless the same is sought to be used as an excuse to seek an adjournment..While refusing to interfere with the High Court's decision of mandatory physical hearings, the top court had made it clear that the manner of opening of courts or continuing with virtual courts was something that was to be handled at the level of Delhi High Court administration..The Supreme Court had also stated in its order that geographical location of a lawyer or litigant is immaterial when appearing through video conference. .Till April 30, the existing system of mentioning, filing etc shall continue as before. .Non-urgent, pending matters listed from April 5 to April 30 have been adjourned en bloc. .[Read Notices].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.