HC logs on to paperless concept

Chandigarh, The Punjab and Haryana High Court today initiated the programme of digital courts but with initial hiccups. To begin with, only urgent or new matters were taken up in the electronic format. The process remained slow due to time taken in downloading files, indicating the need for speeding up the system. The court is working out the modalities for removing the errors in the new system. The entire process is expected to be streamlined in a couple of weeks.
As the courts commenced work this morning, lawyers and litigants found digital screens placed before the Bench for enabling the warring sides to argue the matters in a convenient manner. The judges, heading digital courts, went through the petitions, applications and even annexure on the digital screen before adjudicating the matters.
The high court has initiated the concept of paperless justice delivery system by making four of its courts “digital”. Once in place, the court will close the outdated paper-based programme and the lawyers will not be required to carry bulky briefs to the paperless courts for arguing the matters. Only gadgets such as laptops, tablets or mobile phones will be required.
In fact, the lawyers will be able to file petitions through e-mails from their chamber or office. Litigation expenses too will register a dip as petitions along with annexure at times run into hundreds of pages. Each party is to be supplied the petition’s copy and more than one set is required to be submitted in case of Division Bench matter.
The entire exercise is being carried out on an experimental basis and some judges have also undergone training. Lack of proficiency in handling computers is proving an impediment.
The process of e-filing the petitions was initially to begin from January 19, but was placed under suspension at the Bar Association’s request. “If a case is not filed through the process of e-filing, accompanied by hard copy on that day, the same shall be listed after a gap of one day as decided earlier,” the court has made it clear. The gap will be used for scanning paper books.