Madras HC to begin physical hearings from February 8, hybrid mode available – Times of India

CHENNAI: After 10 months of restrictive hearing in view of the pandemic, the Madras high court is set to commence regular physical hearing from February 8.
However, an option of virtual/hybrid mode of hearing will also be made available to lawyers.
As per the notification issued by the administrative committee of the high court, the decision to open physical hearing has been made in the wake of the effect of the pandemic subsiding.
“To begin with, hearing in physical form will commence on February 8 only in respect of matters at the final stage of hearing. To the extent practicable, final hearing matters relating to writ and criminal side will be posted in the prelunch session and the cases relating to the appellate side and the original side will be posted in the post-lunch session,” the notification said.
Time slots for a set of five to 10 matters per hour or per 30 minutes will be indicated as directed by the relevant bench, it added.
Matters other than final hearing cases, including motions and bails, will be heard in the hybrid mode, the notification said.
“Advocates representing governments/government bodies may appear in physical form, but other parties will be represented on the virtual platform,” the committee said.
Similarly, filing and related works which were in existence prior to the pandemic will be permitted with Covid-19 norms.
Advocates’ canteen is also permitted to function with limited menu and following Covid-19 protocol.