Flyer-HC Circular

In continuation of the administrative directions vide circular dated 17.03.2020 and 18.03.2020, the Hon’ble Chief Justice has imposed the following as preventive measures to be taken in view of the confirmed COVID 19 cases and has imposed the following conditions as to the restricted functioning of the High Court confining the same to only urgent matters. The following stand as of 24.03.2020:

1. The Court shall have Two Divisional Benches dealing with urgent fresh Civil and Criminal matters separately and there shall be Five Single Benches-three on the Criminal side and Two on the Civil side, the constitution and the jurisdiction of the same shall be mentioned in the Cause List separately.
2. Lawyers are requested not to operate from their chambers or not to invite litigants unless absolutely necessary either to be physically present vide an Order of the Court or for personal verification as directed by the Registry.
3. Lawyers are requested to file only extremely urgent matters, which shall be for a period of three weeks from the issuance of this notice, permission for the same to be granted by respective Courts exercising jurisdiction either on the Civil or Criminal side as per the roster.
4. The Registry shall also ensure that the Petitions/documents presented as defective shall not be returned immediately, the same may be kept in abeyance for a period of three weeks until further notice in regards to the same. Option may be given to counsels in which the matter is extremely urgent and may require immediate presentation.
5. The cause list with effect from 24.03.2020 shall be in accordance with the above mentioned directions. Cases already been directed to be listed in the Cause List three weeks from now, if urgent, shall be mentioned before the respective benches and if the bench allows the same at their discretion, the same may be listed accordingly.
6. The respective benches can be approached in instances for extension of any interim orders that are time bound to expire within the forthcoming three weeks, the respective benches may pass appropriate orders to prevent any inconvenience.
7. In matters where the petition has been presented and the limitation is likely to expire, such papers may be accepted by the Registry and presented before the respective benches as and when the court resumes to normal functioning, subject to any further directions. This arrangement shall continue for a period of three weeks subject to any order issued earlier or modifications which may be made in future.
8. In matters where the petition has been presented and the limitation is likely to expire, such papers may be accepted by the Registry and presented before the respective benches as and when the court resumes to normal functioning, subject to any further directions. This arrangement shall continue for a period of three weeks subject to any order issued earlier or modifications which may be made in future.
9. The personal staff of all the Hon’ble High Court Judges including their personal Secretaries, drivers, residential and official staff shall function and make themselves available subject to directions given by the Hon’ble Judges themselves.
10. With regards to the entry in the Hon’ble High Court, there shall be restrictions on the same and the Registrar General shall ensure and make necessary arrangements for appropriate facilities for the protection and convenience of the entire working staff including security personnel.
11. Lawyers and litigants are requested to cooperate and strictly comply with the aforementioned directions until further notice/directions.

The same may be brought to the kind notice of the Hon’ble Administrative Judge, Madurai Bench to take appropriate steps and measures and the same is to be notified in the Cause List to be published at Madurai.