In a major decision, the Gujarat High Court has expanded the implementation of its hybrid court proceedings system to encompass all its courtrooms and benches.

This implies that individuals can now participate in court proceedings at the Gujarat High Court either in person or remotely through virtual methods such as video conferencing.

The hybrid system was originally introduced as a 'pilot project' for four division benches of the High Court in June 2023. Given the successful outcomes observed during the pilot project, this system is now being expanded to encompass all courtrooms within the High Court.

The hybrid mode of operation for all courtrooms of the High Court is scheduled to commence tomorrow, September 29, as announced in a notification issued by the Registrar General.

The notification states the following, “the present pilot implementation exercise of the hybrid mode of hearing of cases for the four division benches of the High Court has been successful and smoothly going on for a couple of months. Considering the same and further in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the ongoing pilot implementation exercise of hybrid hearing of cases is now implemented on a regular basis for all the remaining division benches, Single-Judge benches (and also larger benches constituted from time to time) of the High Court of Gujarat for all days starting with the Cause-list for September 29, 2023 onwards.”

The notification also added that advocates and parties-in-person who wish to utilize the hybrid system will be required to submit their requests through an online link provided on the High Court's official website.