PIL in Delhi High Court to make A4 size paper printed on both sides mandatory for courtwork

Two law students have moved the Delhi High Court seeking directions to implement the use of A4 size paper printed on both sides for pleadings and court work in the High Court and subordinate courts. .The petition by Akriti Agarwal and Lakshya Purohit, filed through advocate Paras Jain contends that A4 size paper should be used instead of continuing with the arbitrary and costly practice of using legal-size paper/Foolscap paper. .The petition further points out that this is crucial to ensure uniformity across courts and to do away with disorganized and unreasonable practice of using differently sized papers in different places, which makes the legal system unfriendly and inaccessible..The contentions made by the petitioners include:The disorganized and unreasonable practice of using different papers at different places is not just creating a hindrance for people in accessing justice both inside and outside the courts, but it also renders the entire legal system non-uniform and arbitrary.In today's times, A4 Size Paper is the most accessible and universally used unlike the Foolscap/ Legal Size Paper which is mostly available in and around court premisesNot all the citizens have an equal access to the Standard Legal Size paper/Foolscap paper. This is contrary to the established principle of “Equality before Law” under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.The Supreme Court, through a March 5, 2020 circular has also mandated the implementation of A4 size paper with double side printing for all pleadings.Further a number of High Courts across India namely the High Courts of Calcutta, Kerala, Tripura have implemented the use of A4 size paper.Rule 1 of Chapter III of The Delhi High Court (Original side) Rules, 2018 also mandates the use of A4 size paper. However, the rule specifies that the paper should be printed/ written on single side and not on both sides..In the backdrop of these, and allied submissions, the petitioners go on to point out that, ."The prime purpose of any legal system is for people to avail easy and speedy justice and not to remain stuck within the shackles of unjustified formality of using different size papers. Essentially, courts are for people, people are not for courts."Petitioners.On March 4, 2020, a representation was made to the Delhi High Court's Registrar General to implement the use of A4 Size paper and double side printing in the High Court and subordinate courts. However, no action has been taken, the petitioners state..It is further noted that a think tank, the Centre for Accountability and Systematic Change had also preferred a similar plea, which prompted a Division Bench of the High Court headed by the Chief Justice to direct the matter to be taken up on the administrative side. .However, no action has apparently been taken on the issue till date, the petitioners submit, adding that "such delay in justice amounts to nothing but denial of justice to all.".In view of these concerns, the petitioners have now moved the Delhi High Court against the Court's Registrar General for implementing the use of A4 size paper for all purposes in the courts of Delhi. .To this end, the following prayers are made:That the Court direct the amendment of Volume IV, Chapter 16 of the Rule 1 of Chapter III of the Delhi High Court Rules and Rule 1, Chapter III of the Delhi High Court (Original Side), Rules, 2018 so as to mandate the use of A4 size paper and printing on both sides of the paper for all purposes in the High Court of Delhi and in all its subordinate courts; ORThat the Court direct the High Court's Registrar General to pass an Administrative Order to ensure the mandatory usage of standard A4 size paper and printing on both sides of the paper, for all purposes in this Hon’ble Court and in all its subordinate courts.

PIL in Delhi High Court to make A4 size paper printed on both sides mandatory for courtwork

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