A representation to this effect was issued by Joseph Aristotle S, Secretary of SCAORA on January 18, where he had stated that despite previous representations, the Advocates-on-Record Association of the Supreme Court was never consulted prior to issuance of such notice from the registry.
In view of such notice, SCAORA has called attention of the CJI that it has received multiple requests from the members of the Bar stating that the present pandemic has severely affected a majority of the lawyers financially and many lawyers have lost their regular practice and have been compelled to move back to their hometowns to avoid expenses of their offices and residences.
Moreover, the representation has stated that many lawyers who had travelled during the winter vacation to their hometowns have still not returned due to the sudden upsurge in COVID-19 cases.
The association in its representation has highlighted that most of the most of the members including the junior members of the Bar appear through mobile phones due to its availability and as the connectivity is not dependent on any other factors like WiFi, power backup etc.
“In fact, for some lawyers, mobile is used as a last resort whereas for some it is the only resource. Advocates who join via a desktop/laptop, with wired connectivity also use mobiles to join the VC hearings when multiple cases are listed on the same day, power cuts, etc.,” the representation states.
The representation has pointed out that there are even instances of glitches in the top court’s connectivity that may require consideration.
Source: Barandbench
