Supreme Court of India revises Lawyers' Chamber timings, allows longer working hours

Supreme Court of India has changed operating hours of Lawyers' Chamber. Apex Court has allowed Lawyers' Chamber block to remain open for longer hours after receiving requests from lawyers. 

Supreme Court revises chamber timing

On Friday, August 7, Supreme Court issued a tice that came as good news for SC lawyers. Taking into consideration requests from lawyers, Supreme Court modified working hours of Lawyers' Chambers block. SC informed that Lawyers' Chamber block located within its premises will remain open of longer hours. As per previous tice dated 21st May 2020 Lawyers' Chambers were to remain open from 10 am to 4 pm (Monday to Friday, except holidays) but as per current Supreme Court tice dated 7th August 2020, Lawyers' Chambers will remain open from 09:30 am to 05:30 pm (Monday to Friday, except holidays). 

Read: Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Postponement Of JEE (Main), NEET-UG Exams Amid COVID-19

Read: Supreme Court Suggests Cheaper Treatment For COVID-19 In Smaller Towns

 "Or terms of said Circular shall remain same. All concerned are requested to co-operate in this regard," read tice. 

According to previous tice, Supreme Court put toger some protocols for entry of lawyers in chambers block in order to prevent spread of COVID-19. 

" Lawyers Chamber Blocks shall have entry only for Learned Members and ir staff (on production of Proximity Card or Letter of Authority), who would submit mselves to rmal-screening and duly fill up self-declaration Forms/Daily Registers (containing contact-tracing details), both to be arranged jointly by SCBA & SCAORA, and SCS shall refuse entry into any block on n-compliance of this condition; furr, SCBA/SCAORA staff shall forward copies of self-declaration forms/daily registers of each Block to Registry at earliest, but t later than end of office hours on following working day," read previous tice.

Through this tice, lawyers were tified that chambers will remain open according to odd-even Chamber numbers of every block, which would alternately open on weekdays. This was done in order to limit number of people inside SC as well as Chambers. working hours as per this old tice were from 10 AM to 4 PM (Monday to Friday, except holidays) and 10 AM to 2 PM (Saturday, except holidays). working hours would be followed by sanitisation of Blocks and on Sundays and holidays, Blocks are scheduled to undergo deep cleaning and sanitization. As per new tice, only timing has been changed but rest of guidelines will remain same.

Read: Bihar Govt Files Affidavit In SC In Sushant Death Case; Accuses Rhea Of 'grabbing Crores'

(With ncy inputs)