Module for automated case listing in the pipeline: Registry to Bombay High Court

The Registrar General of the Bombay High Court on Thursday informed the Court that the Central Project Coordinator is working on a module for the automated listing of cases, which will be finalized soon..Additionally, the Registry is preparing a standardized format for praecipes (a single-page document which contains details of a case that is sought to be mentioned for listing) to streamline the process of circulating case files.A Division Bench of Justice A S Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata today also directed the Registry to consider proposals submitted by other stakeholders, including the Bombay Bar Association, the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, and the Advocates’ Association of Western India, regarding the format for praecipes and any other suggestions. The Court granted these bodies two weeks to submit their suggestions. “After the draft (for praecipe) is prepared, you will show all the stakeholders the format for praecipe that will be used for circulation,” the Bench observed..The Court was hearing a plea filed by the Bombay Lawyers Association (BLA) challenging the lack of uniformity in mentioning procedures before different Benches. The petition argued that such inconsistencies violate the fundamental right to access justice and the principles of natural justice.Currently, after filing a petition, lawyers must mention their cases before the roster Bench to request an early listing date. Without such mentioning, newly filed cases may take days or even weeks to be scheduled for a hearing. BLA has highlighted that while some judges permit oral mentioning, others require written requests, online forms, or in-person submissions to court clerks, leading to delays and arbitrary decisions..To address this, BLA has proposed an automated listing system to ensure that all newly filed matters are placed before the relevant Bench within four days, eliminating the need for any mentioning. The Court had first heard the plea on January 30, when advocate RS Datar, representing the High Court, sought time to take instructions.The matter will be heard next after four weeks.