To ensure transparency, IHC rolls out live streaming, recording of court proceedings
IHC says live streaming involves rights of litigants therefore it can only be made accessible to after modalities are finalised
April 23, 2022
- Proceedings of court room number one have been equipped with live streaming.
- "Live streaming of proceedings involves the rights of the litigants," says statement.
- It further says that matrimonial matters, recording of evidence, privileged communications etc may have to be excluded.
ISLAMABAD: In order to ensure greater transparency and access to justice, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken the initiative to introduce live streaming and recording of court proceedings, a statement issued by the IHC said on Saturday.
According to the statement, the proceedings of court room number one have been equipped with live streaming following the directions of Chief Justice Athar Minallah.
"However, the live streaming of proceedings involves the rights of the litigants and, therefore, it can only be made accessible to the general public after its modalities have been finalised upon completion of the consultative process with the stakeholders," read the statement, adding that "not every litigant would want proceedings to be streamed live."
It further said that matrimonial matters, recording of evidence, privileged communications etc may have to be excluded.
An e-Committee has been constituted by the chief justice which is headed by the judges of the high court. The committee also inlcudes representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Islamabad Bar Council (IBC), Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Islamabad Bar Association and High Court press/media reporters.
The committee will deliberate the modalities and propose rules regarding live streaming of the court proceedings, inter-alia, having regard to the rights and interests of the litigants, according to the statement. The committee may co-opt members and invite suggestions from the general public.
The members of the general public may also send proposals/suggestions addressed to the registrar of the court regarding modalities relating to the live streaming of court proceedings.
