Order 18 — Virtual Hearing
Rule 1 Virtual hearing of Court proceedings.
Upon application by any of the parties or suo motu, the Court may conduct its proceedings virtually where it deems appropriate.
Rule 2 Medium and access link for virtual hearing.
Virtual hearing shall be by means of any audiovisual platform approved by the Court and a link will be provided to enable the public to observe the virtual proceedings.
Rule 3 Notification of virtual hearing.
Where the Court adopts virtual hearing for any proceedings in an appeal, the Registrar shall notify the parties.
Rule 4 Dress code.
The Justices of the Court and Counsel appearing in the appeal shall be fully robed for the virtual hearing subject to the directions of the Court in exceptional circumstances.
Rule 5 Rules of etiquette.
All rules and practices on decorum and etiquette during physical hearing shall be observed by Counsel and parties during virtual hearing.
Rule 6 Publication of cases for virtual hearing.
Cases for virtual hearing shall be stated in the cause list of the Court by the Registrar and shall be posted on the official website and Notice Board (manual or electronic) of the Court; and shall be communicated to the parties either by e-mail or any other electronic means, as the Court may direct.
Rule 7 Directive of Court.
It shall be the duty of the Court to give directives on the conduct of virtual hearing in any appeal which shall be in accordance with any relevant law, the Rules of Court and any Practice Direction made pursuant to these Rules.
Rule 8 Practice Direction on virtual hearing.
The Chief Justice may periodically issue Practice Directions for the regulation of virtual hearing.