The Bombay High Court has issued an important circular on the issue of availing Summer Vacation and increasing the working hours after the lock-down is lifted.
CIRCULAR
The Hon’ble the Chief Justice, the Honorable administrative Judges of the Bombay High Court have been pleased to decide that the High Court of Bombay and Courts subordinate to it shall not avail Summer Vacation, if after 3rd May, 2020 and before 7th June, 2020, the normal Court working is restored by lifting the lock-down. During the period of Summer vacation if normal Court working is restored, the timing of working shall be as under :
| Place | Working time | ||
| 1 | Principal seat at Mumbai | 10:30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. | Dais hour is increased by half an hour |
| 2 | Nagpur Bench | 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with recess of half an hour in between | |
| 3 | Aurangabad Bench | 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. till 4:30 p.m. | Lunch break of 45 minutes |
| 4 | At Goa | 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with recess of half an hour in between | |
| The Hon’ble Senior Judge at Benches can effect suitable changes in the above timings in consultation with their Colleagues and Bar Members to meet the local need. | |||
The working hours for the Subordinate Courts during the said period, if normal court working starts, shall be as in force prior to Covid-19 pandemic.
The modified working hours for the High Court, if any, from 08th June, 2020 onwards shall be notified separately.
Should there not first be a decision on whether there’s going to be physical hearing or through video conferencing mode?