Synopsis: The Bar Council (BCI) has requested the Centre to include the e-filing service for iPads and laptops to vulnerable lawyers across the nation.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has decided to approach the authorities of the central and state governments with regard to various grievances and urgent demands regarding the conduct of virtual proceedings in court.
In this respect, the BCI has raised concerns concerning the failure of lawyers to reach and use virtual hearings, as well as the need to restore limited physical hearings with appropriate safety precautions in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a press release signed off by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, the BCI would request the government to include iPads or computers to enable access to virtual hearings and e-filing by the deprived lawyers.
Furthermore, it also recommended that free and reliable wifi links and specialized scanners be made accessible at each Bar Association premises.
The Council also asked the Supreme Court and the High Court to direct the allocation of trainers so that advocates can be trained in the e-filing and virtual court hearings modalities.
In addition, the letter demands for the resumption of physical court proceedings whenever the condition of COVID-19 is under control. The letter requires courts to take measures at least twice a day to implement effective social distancing standards and sanitization of court premises.
The request added that District judges should take action to restore physical hearings after they have laid down and taken attempts to ensure appropriate social distance standards.
The BCI further said that the sanitation of the buildings of court-rooms and bar associations should also be ensured. It further said that the e-committees at high court levels were also insisted to provide two specialized trainers for each country’s bar association, who could educate the bar members and make them proficient at e-filing and virtual hearings.
The decision to put forth these demands before the Government in its meeting held on 12th August. In this relation,, BCI has written to the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, all Chief Ministers, the Union Minister for Law and Justice, the Electronics and Information Technology and Communications Department, chairperson of e-committee of the Supreme Court and all Chief Justices of high courts.