The District & Sessions Judge of Patiala House Court on Wednesday has written to the President & Secretary of New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) informing them of the action plan for opening of lawyers’ chambers at the Patiala House Court.
The action plan is prepared after having consultations with the Hony. Secretary of the NDBA through video conferencing, which is as follows:-
- Lawyers chambers shall be opened from 29.05.2020 and till further orders only one lawyer per chamber along with one assistant/clerk shall be permitted for three hours daily from 9.30AM to 12.30PM on odd even basis.
- Bar shall fully co-operate in regulating/monitoring the entry of Patiala house courts complex and for this purpose they will also appoint a task force and volunteers from the bar which shall be closely supervised by the NDBA Executive.
- Hoardings and banners shall be put in Patiala house Court for the awareness of lawyers coming to the court complex for adherence to the social distancing norms and sanitisations.
- The sanitizer dispenser and thermal scanners shall be provided at entry gates. The court administration shall take all appropriate steps for the cleaning, sanitization and disinfection of all the common area in the court complex. The lawyers shall be responsible for cleaning/disinfection and sanitization of their chambers.
- The lawyers and their assistants clerks shall wear mask all the time during their stay in the court complex and adhere to all social distancing norms.
- For time being only gate no. 1, 2, 4,5,6,7 and 11 shall be opened to ensure that there is no crowding on any particular gate and remaining gates will remain closed till further orders. Only self driven vehicles of advocates shall be permitted entry form gate no. 4 & 6.
- Only the lawyers chambers shall be made functional and the seats allotted to the NDBA members in the court complex shall remain non functional till further orders.
- The administrative civil judge shall issue appropriate directions to the chief medical officer posted at Patiala house court dispensary, and a request letter shall also be sent to Principal Health Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Govt of NCT Delhi for making necessary arrangements for the treatment of NDBA members, if they are found corona positive. The District and Sessions Judge in consultation with the Bar shall appoint a joint committee to render all assistance to all lawyers, courts staff, in case they require any medical help.
- Lawyers’ canteen and other common sitting areas shall remain closed till further orders.
The District and Sessions Judge has made clear that as decided the action plan shall be reviewed as and when any further direction is received from the Delhi High Court or after 2 weeks whichever is earlier.
-India Legal Bureau