DH NEWS SERVICE
Jammu, May 20
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday announced the adoption of virtual hearings and hybrid working arrangements as part of a series of fuel conservation measures initiated in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for economic self-defence amid rising crude oil prices and growing concerns related to energy security.
The decision was communicated through a circular issued by the Registrar General of the High Court, which stated that the measures would remain in force until further orders. The circular said the initiatives were aimed at reducing fuel consumption, encouraging efficient use of resources and supporting broader national efforts towards energy conservation.
According to the order, the High Court has decided to encourage virtual hearings and virtual appearances by advocates in court proceedings with effect from May 21, 2026. “With effect from 21.05.2026, the high court shall encourage virtual hearings and virtual appearance by learned counsel, subject to observance of the decorum and protocol prescribed for virtual proceedings,” the circular stated. The court clarified that while virtual participation would be encouraged, lawyers who are unable to join proceedings through video conferencing due to unavoidable circumstances would still be permitted to appear physically before the court whenever benches are functioning physically. The circular also outlined special arrangements for the upcoming court vacation period beginning June 8. It stated that nominated vacation benches would hear matters primarily through virtual mode during the vacation period. “During the vacation period commencing on June 8, the nominated vacation benches shall deal with the matters coming before them through virtual mode,” the order said.
At the same time, the High Court ensured flexibility for legal practitioners who may face technical or logistical difficulties in attending virtual proceedings.
“However, learned advocates who, for some unavoidable reasons, are unable to participate via video conferencing mode may appear physically before the hon’ble court(s) whenever it is functioning physically,” the circular added.
Apart from judicial proceedings, the High Court has also imposed restrictions on physical administrative activities in order to minimise official travel and fuel consumption. The circular stated that no physical administrative inspection or district visits would be undertaken by judicial officers or officials until further directions are issued. “No physical administrative inspection or visit of the districts shall be conducted till further orders. All administrative meetings shall be convened virtually,” the order stated. The High Court further announced temporary restrictions on Leave Travel Concession (LTC) facilities for judicial officers and court staff as part of the fuel-saving measures.
According to the circular, the LTC facility would remain suspended for judicial officers and employees of the High Court except in cases where the benefit had already been granted before issuance of the order.
“The LTC facility for judicial officers and staff of the high court, except those already granted, shall remain unavailable till further orders,” the circular stated.
However, the court clarified that employees would not lose their entitled benefits because of the temporary suspension. The order said the relevant LTC block period would automatically be extended to compensate for the period during which the facility remains unavailable. “However, for any number of days during which the LTC facility remains unavailable during any month, the relevant LTC block period shall stand extended by one month,” it added.
The High Court also directed the Judicial Academy to shift entirely to online mode for all educational and training activities. According to the order, no physical training programmes, workshops, orientations or academic activities would be conducted until further notice. “The Judicial Academy shall not conduct any physical training programme, and all training programmes, workshops, orientations, and related academic activities shall be conducted only through virtual mode,” the circular said.
