30 August 2021 08:47 am Views - 86
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Supreme Court has announced that it has further extended the decision to hear only urgent matters in open court until September 3, in view of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Supreme Court registrar said he was issuing this notice on the direction of The Chief Justice, in view of the availability of limited staff due to COVID-19 pandemic, especially staff attached to the record room.
If there are any urgent matters which should be taken up in open court, a Motion containing an application to such effect should be filed before the scheduled date or if that is not possible, before 9.30 AM on the scheduled date, with prior notice to relevant parties, the Supreme Court Registrar announced.
The Supreme Court registrar further announced that such urgent matters will be taken up in the designated court commencing at 11.00 AM. The Supreme Court Registrar further announced that litigants will not be permitted to enter the Superior Courts Complex unless permission has been obtained from the relevant presiding justice.
All Attorneys-at-Law have been requested to fully adhere to health guidelines issued by health authorities relating to the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Attorneys-at-Law has been further requested to enter courtrooms only when it is reasonably likely that their respective application is about to be taken up. The new dates for matters that are scheduled until September 3, 2021 will be notified later.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has also announced that all cases that are scheduled to be taken up before all Divisions of the Court of Appeal until September 3, 2021 will not be mentioned as scheduled.
Urgent cases are only to be considered by Court of Appeal during this period and it is the discretion of the Presiding Justice to consider an application urgent or not.