The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued two circulars relaxing the dress code for lawyers appearing before it via video conferencing and eliminating filings on A4 size sheets, in light of the medical exigencies existing due to COVID-19.
In a circular issued today, the Supreme Court has said that on receiving medical advice, it is relaxing the dress code for Advocates appearing before the Court via video conferencing.
According to the Circular, the same is being done as a precautionary measure for containing the spread of COVID-19.
“The Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that the advocates may wear “plain white-shirt/white-salwar-kameez/ white saree, with a plain white neckband” during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System till medical exigencies exist or until further orders,” the circular relaxing the dress code said.
On February 13, 2020, the Supreme Court Bar Association had issued a circular stating that now A4 size papers with print on both sides can be used for filing cases in the Supreme Court. The said circular was issued after a meeting was held by the Judges of the Supreme Court with the members of the SCBA and the SCAORA for Rationalisation of Use of Papers to conserve the environment and natural resources.
The Supreme Court has issued a fresh circular relating to the use of A4 size paper having regard to the difficulties faced by the lawyers amid COVID-19 lockdown.
The circular stated that authority has clarified that all cases which were filed before April 1, 2020, maybe refiled using either A4 size paper or legal-size paper.
The exemption shall be granted from filing or refiling fresh petitions in A4 size paper up to June 15, 2020, only in those cases where difficulties are being expressed to use A4 size paper.
The Advocate on Record or Party in Person may file an application seeking an exemption to use A4 size paper specifying the circumstances to seek such exemption. The aid application shall be placed before the Additional Registrar In-charge, Filing counter.
The court further clarified that no exemption will be granted in respect of cases filed through e-filing where A4 size paper format shall be compulsory.
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