The Bombay High Court is poised to introduce a transformative change in its case management approach with the implementation of an automatic case listing system. This new protocol, detailed in a notice issued by the High Court Registrar on December 5, is scheduled to begin on a trial basis from December 11.
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This innovative system will automatically list freshly filed matters for hearings in a supplementary cause list, specifically assigned to certain judges. Initially, this protocol will be applied to two division benches and three single-judge benches at the High Court’s principal seat in Mumbai. The notice, however, does not specify the names of the judges on the two division benches.
The three single judges designated for the auto-listing trial are:
- Justice NJ Jamadar, who will be responsible for anticipatory bail applications.
- Justice GA Sanap, who will handle bail applications filed up to the year 2022.
The timing for the auto-listing of cases is meticulously planned. For matters before the division benches, the auto-listing will take place one week after the final numbering of the freshly filed matter. In contrast, for single-judge benches, the auto-listing is scheduled to occur three days after the final numbering of the filed petition. The term ‘final numbering’ refers to the unique number a petition receives once all objections or defects identified by the court registry are satisfactorily addressed and rectified.
A significant aspect of this new protocol is the restriction on the conventional practice of mentioning cases. The notice explicitly states,
“These matters should, therefore, not be mentioned before the benches concerned.”
This is a departure from the earlier system where parties, through their lawyers, could approach the respective benches before the daily board for urgent listing of their matter. However, the notice does provide for exceptions, stating,
“Mentioning will be permitted only if exceptional urgency is made out justifying a listing earlier than the auto-listing schedule.”
The introduction of this auto-listing system is a strategic move by the Bombay High Court to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of judicial proceedings. By automating the listing process, the court aims to streamline case management and reduce the time and effort spent on manual listings. The trial implementation of this system will be a critical phase, providing insights into its practicality and impact on the court’s overall functioning.
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