SCBA Passes Resolution For Suspension of Summer Vacations

In light of the inconvenience caused to the litigants due to COVID-19, the Supreme Court Bar Association passed a resolution urging the Chief Justice of India to cancel the summer vacations. The Association passed the resolution in the interest of litigants and in the interest of justice. The SCBA resolves that all lawyers practising in the Supreme Court will give up the summer vacation. The summer vacation is scheduled from May 16th, 2020, until July 5th, 2020. The SC lawyers will make themselves available for work during that period, to make good the loss of working days between March 15 and April 30, 2020, or any additional days that may be lost thereafter.

The SCBA also recommended to immediately improve the video-conferencing facilities for live streaming of the proceedings. The association advises replacing the existing video-conferencing platform with a “modern, efficient multi-user platform” as per the Supreme Court decision in the case of Swapnil Tripathi vs Supreme Court of India. The SCBA concludes that it is time for the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and the Companion Judges of the Supreme Court to take measures to mitigate the suffering and distress of the litigating public and to put in place fresh measures for gradually restoring the full functioning of the Supreme Court.

On Thursday (09.04.2020), the Delhi High Court announced the suspension of the summer break for the High Court and all the subordinate courts in Delhi. The decision was passed unanimously by all the judges of the Delhi High Court. As per the resolution, the Delhi High Court along with the subordinate Courts will remail fully functional in the entire month of June 2020.