HC permits opening of lawyers' chambers with conditions, safeguards

The Delhi High Court on Monday agreed to lawyers body DHCBA's request to reopen the advocates chambers so that they can get their files and books, but with certain conditions and safeguards, including the number of persons who can access the rooms and the timings.

The high court's committee for preparation of a graded action plan considered the Delhi High Court Bar Association's request in its meeting of May 14 and recommended that the chambers can be opened in two phases -- between 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

A public notice issued by the Registrar General's office said: "The layover period be used by housekeeping agencies for sanitization and deep cleaning of the use portions of the building.

"The committee accedes to the proposal of Mr Mohit Mathur (DHCBA president) for providing access to lawyers to their respective chambers situated in three Lawyers' Chambers Block of this Court to primarily enable them to take away their files, books, belongings etc."
The other safeguards and conditions recommended by the the committee said: "Proper face masks shall be mandatory for all such visiting advocate etc. No kiosk facility for tea, coffee etc. or ancillary services in any chamber block shall be opened till further orders. No common use areas like Bar, Consultation Room etc. be opened for use. Only the toilets for the floor(s) to be used shall be opened. Lift facility shall be provided only to the floor(s) in use and shall be used only by two persons at a time."