The Supreme Court of India has cautioned all the Advocates-on-Record, parties-in-person and all other concerned against unauthorised sharing of link/screen of Video-Conference/Tele-Conference hearings without permission of the Court. The Circular dated 06.11.2020 states that if the directions of the Court are flouted then it may invite “adverse consequences”.
“The Advocates/parties-in-person appearing in violation of above mentioned Standard Operating Procedure shall not be allowed to address the Hon’ble Court, rather their audio and video access will be prohibited.”
In the Standard Operating Procedure dated 4th July, 2020, it was specifically provided that only two appearance links and one viewing link shall be provided to each litigating party. Sharing of screen is also prohibited unless permitted by the Court.
The Circular highlights that despite the SOP being in place, the Advocates-on-Records are sharing the links, provided to them for video conferencing, with more than two advocates to appear before the Court during the course of proceeding. It, further, states,
“… Advocates are addressing the Court in the matters not listed for hearing on that day. Such sharing of Video-Conferencing links or sharing of screen, being violative of the above mentioned Standard Operating Procedure, is unauthorised, and creates hindrance in the proceedings of the Court.”
Read the Circular here
