Madras High Court to discontinue physical hearings from March 8 after surge in COVID-19 cases

The Madras High Court on Saturday notified that it will hold only limited physical hearings from March 8 following a surge in COVID-19 cases in some parts of Chennai and Tamil Nadu. .The notification said that Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee has directed that cases at the Principal and the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court would be heard only through virtual or hybrid mode from March 8, until further orders. .In the hybrid mode, only the judges and the law officers of the State or Central governments or standing counsel of Public Sector Undertakings would appear physically, while all other parties and counsel will appear through video conference. .The High Court had commenced hybrid mode functioning on February 8. That apart, there were also certain Benches which were taking up matters only in physical court. .Madras High Court to function in hybrid mode from February 8; Final hearings to be taken up physically [Read notification].It has now been intimated that from March 8, all advocates other than government law officers, advocate clerks, litigants and parties in person would be prohibited from entry into the High Court premises. Law chambers would also remain closed. Advocates who wish to take case papers are to collect the same during time slot issued for Saturday and Sunday. .Filing of cases and other documents would be through physical modes at the respective counters provided at the South Gate of the High Court's principal Bench, subject to compliance with COVID-19 protocol. With regard to the Madurai Bench, a separate notification is to be issued by the Additional Registrar General, Madurai Bench. .Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Saturday notified that it will commence limited hybrid physical hearings from March 15. The top court has been functioning via video conference since March 23, 2020 after Covid-19 pandemic broke out. .Lawyers to boycott Court on Monday.Protesting the move to close all lawyers' chambers, the Madras High Court Advocates' Association (MHAA) and the Women Lawyers' Association (WLA) intimated that its members have resolved to boycott the court on Monday. ."It has been unanimously decided in consultation with other Bar Associations to Boycott all the courts on 08.03.2021 (Monday) including all Tribunals protesting against the closure of Advocate chambers," a resolution issued by MHAA in this regard said. .A similar resolution was issued by the WLA as well. .[Read High Court notification].Read the MHAA resolution:.Read the WLA Resolution: