Delhi HC Flags Lack of Decorum in Virtual Hearings

Delhi High Court raises concerns over lack of decorum in virtual hearings after a lawyer appeared from a park during a case. DHCBA urged to ensure proper court etiquette.

[{"selector":"#anim-428ef049-6488-40dd-bf33-0c0f30d29a4b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-47.26562457342055%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Justice Girish Kathpalia noted that while virtual hearings help lawyers manage multiple cases, maintaining decorum and following protocol is essential in hybrid court settings.

[{"selector":"#anim-20fe57a0-0f32-4234-bc2b-a9b07ce26a89 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.240844612732676%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Court observed that many lawyers fail to follow protocol despite reminders. Issues like inaudible audio and video being turned off often disrupt proceedings in virtual hearings.

[{"selector":"#anim-d5dea0aa-21d2-44c4-841c-8cd6da47e196 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.240596676539784%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

During the hearing, the lawyer turned off his video, leading the Court to refuse marking his appearance. However, the appeal wasn’t dismissed to avoid penalizing the litigant.

[{"selector":"#anim-b85265c4-e4a8-46c8-92ed-ea35cc69539e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(59.854003281352306%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The case involved a ₹5 lakh loan dispute. The Court questioned the lack of reliable evidence for a cash loan, asking why it would be repaid via cheque instead of cash.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ad265cf-5c91-4e04-b173-7965c0c8316e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The Court directed the Registry to circulate its order to DHCBA and district bars, urging them to educate lawyers on proper conduct in virtual and hybrid court proceedings.

[{"selector":"#anim-2a35ed88-44ce-41f0-9180-397875e8f0cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(23.383928180387308%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Stay compliant with court decorum in virtual hearings! Need legal assistance? Apply for VakilSearch Lawyer Services today and get expert legal guidance.

[{"selector":"#anim-2c19e8ee-edbe-49c1-952a-d4bef44a2e10","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, -654.47513%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, -184.038406556%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, -62.56782242800001%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, -23.495657167%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, -10.209812028%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"rotate(-90deg) translate3d(0, 0%, 0) rotate(90deg)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}] Arrow