Bar Assn objects to virtual final hearing

Chennai

MBA president and senior counsel ARL Sundaresan said posting the final hearing of cases through video conference was causing hardship to the advocates, who are unable to make the submissions effectively due to the connectivity issues, inability to refer to original records and documents, and inability to refer to precedents.

“By venturing to argue final hearing matters through video conference, the real affected person would be the litigant who relies so much on his advocate and the justice delivery system. We have to compromise on the quality of service the advocate would render to his client. That is unwelcome,” he said, appealing to the judges to not list final hearings during the period when it is done through video conference.

The plea also held that the e-filing process was cumbersome, pointing out that directions have now been issued to submit hard copies at the South Gate as well.