SC to launch ‘Advocate Appearance Portal’ from January 1, 2023: CJI Chandrachud
In a further step towards digitization, to make the Supreme Court a ‘paperless’ court, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud of India announced on Friday that from the new year lawyers will no longer have to manually submit court papers. Attorneys now fill out prescribed forms with details such as their name, case and its serial number to indicate their presence at the hearing and to ensure their name is included in court orders or judgments.
“We are streamlining the process of appearance memos. Exactly, what is uploaded by the lawyers, we will get it. The court masters will not have to type it,” the CJI said at the start of the judicial proceedings on Friday. The portal was designed and developed to increase the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of recording attorneys’ appearances in court records, the statement said. “Attorneys of Incorporation (AoR) can certify the appearance of attorneys in matters and submit appearances through this portal,” it said, adding that the existing process for appearances was “cumbersome.” Appearances will be obtained in person from attorneys in court on the day the case is listed or by email, and AOR verification will be manual with existing procedures, the statement said.
“This online feature is also an eco-friendly step, saving about 2,00,000 pieces of paper per year,” he added. The CJI has warned the AoR to use the portal, which will operate from January 1, 2023, the statement said. Recently, the Supreme Court created a separate portal for processing Right to Information (RTI) requests.
