Supreme Court issues statement for sitting of the 02nd term of 2020

Colombo (News 1st); The Supreme Court announced sittings for the 2nd Term of 2020, on Monday 27th April 2020 will not take place if the situation in the locality of the Superior Courts Complex continues to be identified as an area unsafe for the public to access and move around. The statement goes on to note, however, upon an application to hear a case on the basis of urgency, after considering the merits and the circumstances, if Court is satisfied on the availability of such circumstances, Court in its discretion would make an appropriate order in that regard. The Supreme Court statement said a notice published under the hand of the Registrar in due course will specify the dates on which the Registry will be open for filing new matters that had not been able to satisfy the procedural time limitations due to the closure of the Registry by reason of the imposition of curfew and other restrictions following the COVID -19 pandemic. The Registry will be open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm to accept new filings other than the filings referred to hereinbefore, if the situation in the locality where the Supreme Court is situated permits. However, a party or an attorney may contact the Registrar in advance and schedule a time and date to open the registry to accept any new filings in any urgent matter, in the event the Registry remains closed due to adverse conditions. In order to ensure effective compliance with the Government health advisories including advisories on social distancing; and to avoid congestion, no person other than the Counsel / or the Attorney of a party or a person who is an unrepresented party will be allowed a presence in courtrooms unless prior permission had been granted by Court on an application by a Counsel / Attorney. Taking into account the number of cases scheduled for a particular day, listing of cases may be made on a staggered basis. In such an instance, only the Counsel / Attorney and unrepresented parties of such cases that are listed for a particular time slot would be permitted to remain in the courtroom during the said time period, unless the court directs otherwise. Full Statement: http://www.supremecourt.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1800&Itemid=130