Overview
- The High Court's Registrar General issued a circular effective May 21, 2026, that encourages virtual hearings, moves training and meetings online, and keeps the order in force until further notice.
- The circular suspends Leave Travel Concession for officers and staff until further orders, extends LTC block periods for months when the benefit is unavailable, and asks registry officers to pool official transport to reduce fuel use.
- The court barred physical administrative inspections and district visits and directed nominated vacation benches to hear matters virtually from June 8, 2026 while allowing physical appearances for advocates who cannot join by video.
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said he has asked high court chief justices to permit online hearings but declined to issue binding nationwide judicial directions, making implementation voluntary and dependent on each high court.
- The measures aim to conserve energy and preserve court work but will affect staff travel benefits and the way litigants and lawyers access courts, and their wider adoption will depend on how other high courts and district courts respond administratively.