Supreme Court Demonstrates Proposed Module For Online Filing Of Cases

The Supreme Court demonstrated today a proposed module for online filing of cases, as part of its efforts to adapt in the post-pandemic era.

Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and members of the apex court’s Bar attended the demonstration, which took place over a webinar. The e-filing module is developed by the e-committee of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice DY Chandrachud.

The proposed module will be available round the clock and will enable lawyers to conduct a host of functions online through newly introduced personalised features.

“We’re conscious of the fact that not every lawyer has access to technology. Hence, our solutions must factor this fact and ensure that we continue to be an inclusive institution,” Justice DY Chandrachud said during the webinar. “We must seek to provide sustained digitisation.”

Justice Bobde highlighted the changes introduced in the functioning of the top court after the pandemic led to a lockdown. “We went for video-conferencing to reduce the footfall in court premises. We have to change according to the needs of the times,” he said. “There’s a need for a change of mindset.”

The chief justice highlighted the principles that were kept in mind while designing the e-filing module:

• The service which has been provided to the Bar and litigants should facilitate access to justice.
• Technology must be simple to use and not exclude any citizen.
• The mission is to provide effective and inexpensive justice everywhere.

The top court’s functioning has been restricted after the a nationwide lockdown was imposed starting March 24. It has since heard cases over video-conferencing, and the facility is now being extended to a greater number of benches. The top court has also decided to cancel its annual summer vacation that was to begin next week.