Introduction:

In a recent development, the Delhi High Court intervened in a long-standing matter involving the bar associations of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The court directed the Union Government to expedite the consideration of a proposal for installing a biometric machine to streamline lawyer access to the NCLT premises. This move comes amidst persistent grievances raised by the bar associations regarding deficiencies in the existing facilities dating back to petitions filed in 2018.

Parties & Arguments:

The NCLT Bar Association, represented by its Secretary General, had filed petitions highlighting various inadequacies at the NCLT and NCLAT premises. Senior Advocate A.S. Chandhiok, acting as the amicus curiae, proposed the installation of a biometric machine to facilitate lawyer access. The Union of India was directed to prioritize and evaluate this proposal, while the Land and Development Office (L&DO) was instructed to process the same within eight weeks.

Court’s Judgment:

The High Court emphasized the urgency of addressing the persisting deficiencies at the NCLT premises, particularly in facilitating lawyer access. It set a deadline for the Union Government and L&DO to consider and process the proposal for the biometric machine. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 21, 2024. Previously, the court had directed the Central Government to decide on establishing a separate complex for NCLT and NCLAT, as well as maintaining the status quo regarding the vacated space by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in the NCLT building.