Claimant’s personal appearance must in Motor Accident Claims, Madras HC Circular

The Registrar (Judicial) of the Madras High Court has issued a circular directing that the personal appearance of claimants should be insisted upon in motor accident claims cases..The circular directs Motor Accident Claims Tribunals in the state to insist on the personal appearance of claimants, or their authorised representative for good and valid reasons while presenting the claim at the first instance..Further, claimants are also required to file an affidavit while presenting the claim, swearing that it is the only claim petition that they are filing in respect of the accident in question..Claimants are thereby required to swear that there are no other claim petitions filed on the same accident by them, and further that they are aware of the implications if their undertaking is found to be false..The circular has been issued pursuant to a recommendation made by Justice PN Prakash last month to avoid the duplication of motor accident claims..Justice Prakash was prompted to make the suggestion, given that the case before him involved three insurance claims and four lawyers on the same accident..This apart, the judge has also ordered the constitution of an Expert Body headed by Justice (Retd.) K Chandru to suggest measures for reforming the field of motor accident claims..Read the Circular: