Limited functioning of the Subordinate Courts in the State of Tamil Nadu due to lockdown in the State of Tamil Nadu – Summer Vacation of the Subordinate Civilcourt notification details
by
Sekar Reporter
·
May 2, 2020
[5/2, 07:53] Sekarreporter: 1 R.O.C.NO.23991-C/2020/C3 OFFICIAL MEMORANDUM Sub: Courts & Judges – Spread of Corona Virus Pandemic – Limited functioning of the Subordinate Courts in the State of Tamil Nadu due to lockdown in the State of Tamil Nadu – Summer Vacation of the Subordinate Civil Courts in the State of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherryfrom the 1st of May, 2020 to 31st of May, 2020 kept in abeyance and adjourned – Further modification – Orders issued. Ref: 1. High Court’s Official Memorandum in Roc.No.88001- A/2019/C3, dt.12.12.2019. High Court’s Official Memorandum in Roc.No.88001- A/2019/C3, dt.13.12.2019 High Court’s Official Memorandum in Roc.No.23991- C/2020/C3, dated 18.04.2020 (For T.N &Puducherry) As resolved by the Hon’ble Full Court in its Video Conferencing Meeting dated 30th of April, 2020, looking to the peculiar grim situation of the State of Tamil Nadu in relation to the existing status of the threat of Corona Virus, High Court is of the opinion that in order to meet the situation which is likely to continue in the month of May, 2020 as predicted, it may not be [5/2, 07:53] Sekarreporter: 2 …2.. appropriate to resume regular and normal functioning as notified in the Official Memorandum third cited, as that may invite the possibility of congregation of lawyers and litigants, andviolation of physical distancing norms keeping in view the large number of lawyers practising in the State, together with their staff, and the number of Subordinate Courts and Taluk Courts spread over throughout the 32 Districts of the State. However, this continued state of lockdown should also not impede the functioning of the Courts beyond a limit, yet in order to ensure physical distancing norms, threats of spread of the endemic by physical contact and to avoid any complications arising therefrom, the system of hearing of matters through remote video conferencing be continued. In view of the above,and considering the various suggestions that have been made by the State Bar Council; the respective Bar Associations of the High Court, whose opinions have been received; the opinion of the Advocate General, and the views of certain other District Bar Associations and individual lawyers, including Senior Advocates, it is directed that the level and volume of functioning be enhanced in a limited staggered manner for the time being till 31st of May, 2020, which will continue till the lockdown is lifted or relaxed or a decision is taken otherwise for resumption of normal functioning. [5/2, 07:53] Sekarreporter: 4 …4… Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, vide Notification No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 1st of May, 2020 has further announced the extension of the lockdown for a period of further two weeks with effect from 4th of May, 2020. The said Notification along with new Guidelines issued by the Central Government today (1 st of May, 2020) on lockdown measures was placed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice, who was pleased to issue further directions that since movement restrictions and measures for safety of persons with specifics regarding Containment Zones in the Red, Orange and Green have been issued, the Principal District Judges / Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai / Chief Judge, Court of SmallCauses, Chennai / Chief Judge, Puducherry may ensure that the said lockdown guidelines are strictly observed while deploying staff for carrying out the essential judicial services to the bare minimum that may be required in this given circumstance of lockdown being continued. It has been clarified by the Hon’ble Chief Justice that deployment of staff need not be necessary to the maximum limit of 33% and may be kept at the minimum level. This should be accompanied by all strict norms pertaining to Sanitation, Social Distancing and all such measures as notified earlier. [5/2, 07:53] Sekarreporter: 5 …5… The functioning in the month of May, 2020 of the Subordinate Civil Courts in the State of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry as notified in R.O.C.No.23991-C/2020/C3 dated 18.04.2020 stands modified as mentioned above. HIGH COURT, MADRAS SD/- C.KUMARAPPAN DATED: 01.05.2020. REGISTRAR GENERAL To All the Hon’ble Judges (for information). All the Registrars, High Court, Madras and Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai. All the Principal District Judges/District Judges The Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai The VIII Additional Judge/IX Additional Judge/XI Additional Judge/XII Additional Judge/XIII Additional Judge/XIV Additional Judge (CBI cases), Chennai The Chief Judge, Court of Small Causes, Chennai The Administrator General and Official Trustee, Chennai The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (E.O.I), Egmore, Chennai The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (E.O.II), Egmore, Chennai The Presiding Officer, Principal Labour Court/I Additional Labour Court/ II Additional Labour Court/III Additional Labour Court, Chennai The Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Coimbatore/ Cuddlore/ Madurai/ Salem/Tiruchirappalli/Tirunelveli The Presiding Officer, Principal/Additional Labour Court, Vellore The Presiding Officer, Industrial Tribunal Chennai. The Additional District Judge and Presiding Officer, Special Court under Essential Commodities Act, Chennai/Coimbatore /Madurai/ Pudukottai/ Salem/ Thanjavur The Judge, Additional Special Court for Exclusive trial of cases under NDPS Act, Chennai.