Implement e-Filing in phased manner, HCBA to administration; submits memo

 

 

The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Nagpur submitted a memorandum to the Administrative Judge highlighting the difficulties faced by the lawyers in view of implementation of the e-Filing procedure and implementation of rules for e-Filing of 10 categories of cases before the High Court and its benches. The HCBA requested the administration that e-Filing should be implemented in a phased manner to avoid inconvenience caused to lawyers and litigants.

The memorandum, signed by HCBA President Atul Pande and Secretary Amol Jaltare, stated that in spite of a brief seminar being conducted where Power Point Presentation was made, the members are facing great difficulties in complying with the procedure.

The memorandum stated that there is complete lack of knowledge for detailed procedure of e-Filing amongst members and clerks. Due to sudden imposition/implementation of the rules and procedure, the lawyers are facing inconvenience as most of them are not equipped with requisite infrastructure including printers, scanners and tablets which are not available to meet the rising demand.

It further pointed out that while registering for Advocates Registration, there are regular latches in creating advocates code which is resulting in delay in filing of urgent cases. The procedure is very complicated and a large section of members are not so tech-savvy to adopt the same immediately, it added. On January 5, 2023, when a seminar was conducted by the administration, then also the participants faced difficulties in uploading and Registration of Petition, it claimed. The HCBA requested to extend the time for implementation of the rules till the time complete infrastructure is not established and also urged physical filing may be accepted and hybrid mode of filing may be continued so as to enable the lawyers to get equipped and educated about e-Filing procedure.

The HCBA also requested that administration should arrange workshops on regular intervals so as to educate the Lawyers to understand the procedure for e-Filing.

 

The District Bar Association (DBA) led by President Adv Roshan Bagade and Secretary Adv Manish Randive submitted a memorandum to the Principal District Judge. The memorandum stated that there has been no programme conducted in respect of awareness and functioning of the e-Filing system. Many of the advocates are not having the facility of scanning machines and the internet. They are also not aware regarding the process in respect of filing of the matter on-line. The DBA office-bearers requested to organise a session for awareness and practical e-filing till one week and also direct the registrar to accept the filing physically at least for 15 days.

After receiving the letter, the Principal District Judge issued a letter informing that an awareness session would

be conducted from January 16 to 20 from 10.15 am to 10.45 pm; 2.15 am to 2.45 pm and 5.30 pm to 6 pm at Nyay Mandir Nyayadhish Sabhagriha at 8th floor.