By YS.Rana :
Chandigarh,May 11,2020: Looking for ways to adjust to the new normal life, experts during webinar sessions organized by Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana High Court with an idea conceptualized by advocate Suvir Sidhu who is also youngest member of Bar Council in the country, deliberated on challenges faced by the judiciary in dispensation of justice post COVID 19.
The discussion was moderated by Advocate Sunnydeep Joneja, Savi Nagpal, Aditya Dassaur and Sarthak Mehta Advocates. Appreciating the initiative as timely and much required while sharing
his views on the topics ‘Law in the Digital Era and Indian Legal Industry Transformation alongwith the Functioning of Courts during Covid-19:
On the issue of the Bench, Bar and Government perspective’ , the Chief Principal Secretary to Punjab CM Suresh Kumar advocated change in rules of business to ensure government activity
was not stalled. Governance has to go on, he said adding in last 20 odd months across the world growth paradigm has shifted with which public policy will have to keep pace with. Whatever legislative or
procedural changes we require should be made, he added in his opening remarks. Sounding a note of caution, Justice Nambiar of Kerala High Court said the possibilities of transformation in system are enormousyet riddled with ethical, moral and practical issues majorly concerned
with digitisation of Judicial activity.
As we get ready to embrace new technologies we need to be circumspect, he said emphasising creation of a domain-specific expertise to counter potential hiccups in the process. We need to ensure proper supporting infrastructure like regular power supply, bandwidth and signal strength for seamless transition, he added. Terming it as a good step in right direction, Justice Monga of Punjab & Haryana High Court said live streaming and video conferencing would immensely benefit all
constituents especially litigants saving them on unnecessary commuting.
Referring to opening of our economy in 1991, he said even then some people had expressed doubts but it’s always good to open up. Dr.Natalie Byrom Director of Research at The Legal Education
Foundation, Civil and Administrative Justice Reform UK and BBC Expert Woman also enlightened the panel and attendees on her 29 point plan on digitization of Courts presented by her to Her Majesty’s Courts and Judicial Services UK as their Expert Advisor. Earlier in his welcome
address, Chairman of Bar Council Punjab & Haryana High Court Karanjit Singh expressed his gratitude to all panelists for offering their perspectives on the important issue.
He also thanked the organising team for putting their heart and mind into the event to make it a success. The organisers recorded their heartfelt thanks to all the esteemed panelists for their precious time. Their informed insights and perspectives would further enrich the level of debate on these important issues, said Suvir Sidhu.