Court cases go online or will be adjourned during lockdown

 

Federal Court chief registrar Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh has laid out procedures for court hearings during the lockdown period.

PETALING JAYA: All trials and hearings that were scheduled to take place in court during the coming two-week lockdown will either move online or be adjourned, the Federal Court has said.

Chief registrar Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh said in a circular that cases will be adjourned for those with court dates already set, while virtual hearings will be allowed for certain civil cases in accordance with existing general guidelines.

Parties who are concerned that the use of virtual technology may impact their chances of a fair trial can apply to adjourn the case on these grounds.

However, arraignment of new charges and applications for remand will be carried out in court as usual.

Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.

Filings of new civil and criminal cases, notices of appeal and other documents will be carried out through the existing application, and parties were advised to avoid physical meetings when conducting case management activities.

In “exceptional circumstances”, applications to appear physically in criminal cases held in a superior court may be granted at the court’s discretion.

Terrirudin said these rules will apply for the duration of the first phase of the lockdown from June 1-14, and will remain in effect if the two-week period is extended by the National Security Council. - FMT