Don't use multiple devices while appearing for Video Conference hearings, use only one device to avoid disturbance: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High on Wednesday urged lawyers to avoid using multiple digital devices while appearing before it via video conference as it causes disturbance and interrupts court proceedings..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj orally requested lawyers to use only one device and switch off the remaining devices while attending hearings. “Advocates, please don’t use multiple devices while attending VC hearing. Use only one, switch off all the others,” the Court remarked. .The Court made this observation when a lawyer appeared before the Court using two devices. The disturbance caused during the hearing prompted the Court to urge lawyers to stick to using one device while attending court hearings..Another issue that judges have faced during video conference hearing is when advocates, oblivious to the fact that their microphone is not on ‘mute’, engage in private conversations with every person in the VC hearing becoming ‘privy’ to such personal conversations..This had become a problem not just during Court hearings but even during dictation of judgments/ orders. .Keeping this issue in mind, more often than not, judges have urged advocates attending hearings to keep their microphones muted, except the advocate making the argument. .Though VC hearing has been the new norm for over a year, every once in a while, Courts resort to passing certain directions, ranging from requesting lawyers to be more audible, to refrain from attending hearing from open spaces like gardens, to appear in a modest manner etc..In fact, in March 2021, the failure by advocates to adhere strictly to the protocol for attending video conference hearings had prompted the Karnataka High Court to come up with ‘new video conference guidelines'..The guidelines strictly barred lawyers and litigants from participating in video conference hearings from "kitchen, dining hall, lawn, vehicle or place which has public nuisance etc".."They should participate in the video conference hearing by sitting at a place that is consistent with the dignity and decorum of the Courts," it added..They shall not indulge in activities not befitting the court decorum like eating food, attending phone calls, chatting with children or sleeping, it further said..Apart from Karnataka High Court, others High Courts such as Rajasthan, Orissa and even the Supreme Court, have time and again reminded advocates to maintain decorum while appearing before for virtual hearings.