Court cases put off till May 15

No cases are to be called in open court and all cases are to be rescheduled on or before May 15, 2020, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) stated. 

The above restrictions will not be applicable to all matters relating to bail or any other matter where the Judge is of the view that it should be attended to without delay. 

Any party or Attorney-at-Law who desires that any matter be taken up on the basis of urgency, such Party / Attorney-at-Law is required to file a motion to that effect before 10.00am, for the consideration of the Judge. 

Orders relating to the extension of remand may whenever possible be carried out without the prisoner being brought to court. In this regard, attempts should be made to set up a video / Skype link with assistance of the prison authorities, the JSC notes. 

Magistrates shoud coordinate with the respective HQIs/OICs of respective police stations under their jurisdictions and ensure that Section 6 of the Bail Act is implemented by the police 

The directives have been issued in respect of Commercial High Court, Civil Appellate High Courts, High Courts, District Courts, Magistrate's Court and Labour Tribunals.