NCLAT Officiating Chairperson tests positive for COVID-19; Summer vacation advanced, to remain shut from April 26 to May 20

The Officiating Chairperson of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Justice AIS Cheema, and several staff and registry officials of NCLAT have tested positive for COVID-19. .In the light of the sudden and exponential surge in COVID-19 cases, the NCLAT Principal Bench has decided that it shall observe April 26 to May 20 as summer vacation in place of June.."The earlier notified Summer Vacations from 07.06.2021 to 30.06.2021 stand cancelled and shall be working for the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi. In lieu of the same, the period from 26.04.2021 to 20.05.2021 (both days inclusive) shall be observed as Summer Vacations for Principal Bench of NCLAT at New Delhi. The Registry shall however remain functional during this period," an order passed by the Appellate Tribunal said..All matters scheduled to be listed during the new summer break stood adjourned to dates in May and June. .During this period, e-filing of cases shall be operational and urgent matters may be taken up for hearing by vacation court which would sit "mostly on Tuesdays and Fridays"..Considering that a large number of NCLAT officials, including staff, senior officials of Registry, as well as the Officiating Chairperson Justice AIS Cheema, have tested positive for COVID-19, the Office Premises shall remain closed on April 20 and 21 for "complete disinfection"..Matters listed on April 22 and 23 will not be taken up and even Registry will remain closed in Delhi, the order added. .It was further notified that till April 30, only urgent matters would be taken up..Meanwhile, the National Company Law Tribunal has also notified that with effect from April 20, all its Benches shall only hear urgent matters through video conferencing. .[Read Notices]