New Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has withdrawn its earlier order allowing judicial proceedings to be conducted on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The revised order has come into effect from Saturday.

The Delhi High Court Bar Association had been opposing the High Court’s earlier decision to continue judicial work on the first and third Saturdays.

On January 15, the Delhi High Court had issued a notification stating that the court would function for judicial work on the first and third Saturdays of every month. Prior to this decision, the High Court generally did not conduct judicial proceedings on Saturdays, except in certain exceptional cases.

On April 2, the Delhi High Court Bar Association issued a notice calling for a boycott of judicial proceedings on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The association had unanimously decided that lawyers would abstain from court work from April 4 onwards.

The Bar Association had stated that it had repeatedly submitted representations to the High Court administration requesting reconsideration of the decision to make Saturday hearings mandatory, but no review of the order was undertaken.

Following the Bar Association’s call, effective judicial proceedings were not conducted on any Saturday at the High Court. Due to the lawyers’ protest, advocates did not appear before the court on Saturdays, and only dates for further hearings were assigned in the cases.

The Delhi High Court Bar Association had earlier said that its executive committee had received complaints from lawyers regarding several practical difficulties arising due to the continuation of court proceedings on Saturdays.

The association had pointed out that Saturday hearings were disrupting lawyers’ professional schedules, making it difficult for them to attend proceedings before various tribunals, arbitration matters, mediation sessions and courts under different Delhi Bar Associations.

It also highlighted that lawyers were facing difficulties in preparing cases and scheduling meetings with clients. According to the association, the arrangement was affecting the overall professional efficiency and working conditions of advocates.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar