The Gujarat High Court has rolled out a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for virtual hearings, making it mandatory for participants to uphold the dignity and decorum of the court.
Failure to follow the guidelines could invite contempt proceedings.
The move comes after a series of incidents of inappropriate behaviour during online hearings, including a recent case where a person appeared before the court from a toilet seat. The court took suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiated contempt action.
Mandatory Discipline Under New Rules
According to the SOP, participants in virtual hearings must strictly adhere to clause (j) of rule (5) of the Gujarat High Court Live Streaming of Court Proceedings Rules, 2021, which lays down the standards for courtroom decorum.
The court stressed that both lawyers and litigants must maintain utmost discipline and refrain from conduct that could undermine the institution’s dignity.
Under the new system, the link for virtual hearings will be published in the daily cause list. Advocates and parties are required to provide complete details on the designated dashboard before they can join the session.
Once connected, all participants will be placed in a virtual waiting room, where the court master will verify the participant’s environment, attire, and technical readiness before allowing entry into the hearing.
Device & Location Restrictions
The SOP allows participants to join the hearing using only one device, while all other devices must be switched off or kept in airplane mode to avoid disturbances.
Those joining from mobile phones must remain stationary and cannot change locations during proceedings. The court emphasised that participants should ensure they are in a suitable, professional environment before joining.
Advocates & Litigants Under Same Code
Court has clarified that the rules apply equally to advocates, litigants, and any other participants. All must dress appropriately, avoid background noise, and ensure that their surroundings are in line with the formality expected in a courtroom.
Any deviation from the SOP—whether related to attire, conduct, or environment—could result in the court taking contempt action against the violator.
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