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
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
