SHCBA proposes steps to prevent spread of COVID-19

Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) on Saturday proposed to Chief Justice Sindh High Court for precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19.
In a letter to Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, SHCBA appreciated the measures adopted by him and the companion Judges in curtailing the spread of the disease.
Due to the immediate & stringent actions taken by Chief Justice the work load has been tremendously reduced on the courts and also on the court staff, the association said and added that nonetheless, further immediate measures should also be taken to effectively avoid the spread of this disease.
SHCBA proposed that for the next two weeks (at-least) additional measurers should be taken which include reduction in the strength of judges/benches to one third or as in summer vacations as well as strength of court staff should also be reduced to one third. The staff aged above fifty-five years may be relieved on leave. It suggested that cases of senior advocates aged fifty-five (55) years or above should not be fixed, unless urgency.
In light of the National Judicial Policy, SHCBA suggested that "Focal Person" as well as "Committee to deal with Coronavirus" may be immediately constituted. SHCBA's President and Secretary being the principal office-bearers as well as judges from the district judiciary may be made part of such committee.
Association proposed that only fresh matters, date by court cases, bail matters (including pre-arrest protective transitory' bail) with extreme urgency may be fixed after scrutiny by the Add Deputy Registrar level.
It also suggested that litigants should not be allowed in court rooms and court branches (main building, both annex buildings & new office building) and all public dealings at the offices of Nazir, Official Assignee, Registrar, Add/Deputy Registrar, MITs etc. may be immediately suspended.
For Affidavits Branch, the system of thumb impression verification may be suspended (as this involves touching of scanning machine by individuals) and the fixing of regular court work pertaining to original side as well as appellate side which does not include life or liberty of a citizen may be deferred/discharged (for the time being). Such non-urgent matter may include hearing of application, hearing of main case. Regular Appeals, evidence, argument, final disposal, tax matters, contempt proceedings, fixing of matters on Orders for Commissioner reports, non-prosecution matters etc.
The policy of "No Adverse Order" may be continued and consider releasing (on bail or payroll) all under-trial and convicted prisoners, who are not involved in heinous crimes or in crimes against society.
Association proposed that the Court timings should also be reduced as observed during summer vacations and hand sanitizing dispensers to be fixed outside each working court room.