By Saurav Yadav
Published on: February 13, 2024 at 00:20 IST
High courts are crucial parts of the legal system in many countries, including India. They’re usually one step up from the lower courts, which handle everyday legal matters. When someone isn’t happy with a decision made in a lower court, they can ask the high court to review it. High courts are essential pillars of the legal system, ensuring fairness, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding the rights of citizens.
In this article we are going to discuss about Whether a common man can visit a High Court? as it totally depends on the specific Court and the purpose of the visit.
Can common Public Visit Hight court
Yes, people can usually visit high Court in general circumstances. You might want to go there to watch a court case, get legal help or information, or even attend a hearing if you’re involved in a case. But keep in mind, there might be some rules to follow, like how you behave in the courtroom or security checks. It’s a good idea to check with the high court you want to visit to see if there are any special things you need to know before you go.
In India, the Supreme Court, offer guided tours for the general public on specific days. You can usually book these tours online and need to carry a valid ID proof. Additionally, some High Courts, like the Patna High Court, allow online applications for visitor passes to attend court proceedings as an observer.
Visiting for personal involvement in a case:
- If you have a case pending in the High Court, you can certainly visit the court for hearings or other related procedures. You might need to follow specific protocols like obtaining a visitor pass or informing the court beforehand.
- It’s important to remember that legal representation is usually mandatory in court proceedings. If you need legal assistance, consider consulting a lawyer.
There can be many reasons behind going or visiting to the high courts of India, such as:
- Observing Court Proceedings: High courts often allow members of the public to sit in and watch court proceedings. This can be a valuable educational experience, giving people a firsthand look at how the legal system functions and how cases are handled by judges, lawyers, and other court personnel.
- Accessing Legal Assistance or Information: Some high courts provide services like legal aid clinics or information desks where people can get help with legal questions or issues. These services are typically offered by trained professionals who can provide guidance on legal matters, procedures, and rights, especially for those who may not be able to afford private legal representation.
- Attending Hearings as a Party to a Case: If you’re involved in a legal case that’s being heard at the high court, you have the right to attend the hearings. This allows you to participate in your case, hear the arguments presented by both sides, and stay informed about its progress.
- Educational Purposes: High courts may also welcome visits from schools, universities, or other educational groups interested in learning about the judicial system. These visits can include guided tours of the courthouse, educational presentations about the court’s functions and procedures, and even mock trials to give students a taste of what happens in a courtroom.
How to plan your visit to High Court
There are total 25 high courts in India, every high court has a process of visiting it, there are little bit difference in the process being followed for the visiting, but some or the other its almost the same except few things.
Visitors to the High Court of Delhi now have the convenience of registering their requests online, streamlining the process for accessing the court premises. To initiate the online registration, visitors can simply click on the “Registration” option. Subsequently, the registration number and approval status will be communicated to the visitor through SMS or email.
Verification of the registration will be conducted by the relevant advocate associated with the mentioned case, and the current status of the visit can be easily accessed through the “Status & Print” menu by entering the registration number.
In case the proposed visit approval faces any issues with the concerned advocate, the intending visitor has the option to obtain a print-out of the request from the “Status & Print” section and seek approval at the Gate Pass Counter of the High Court of Delhi.
For the approval process at the Gate Pass Counter, the intending visitor must present the registration number or print-out, along with the original proof of identity. Following document verification and the capture of the visitor’s photograph, the visitor pass will be issued.
A noteworthy advantage of this online registration system is that for subsequent visits, visitors can conveniently use the same registration number for the issuance of the visitor pass or gate pass, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience.
It is important to note that the visitor pass obtained through online registration process is non-transferable, emphasizing the importance of presenting original proof of identity at the Gate Pass Counter. This online registration facility is designed to enhance accessibility and streamline the visitation process for individuals visiting the High Court of Delhi.
here’s a simple breakdown of the procedure for online gate pass registration at the Delhi High Court:
- Visit the Delhi High Court website by clicking on this link: http://delhihighcourt.nic.in.
- Once on the website, look for the ‘Links’ section located on the right-hand corner of the page.
- Click on ‘Links’, and you’ll see a link that says online gate pass registration
- You’ll be directed to the Home Page of the Online Gate Pass Registration.
- On the Home Page, you’ll find four options: Home, Registration, Status & Print, and Contact.
- Click on ‘Registration’, and a form will appear on the screen.
- Fill out the form with the required details and submit it.
- After submission, a message containing the registration number will be displayed on the screen. If you provided your mobile number and/or email id, you’ll also receive an SMS and/or email with the registration number.
- An SMS and email will also be sent to any advocate you’ve engaged, asking for their approval of the visit.
- You can check the status of your visit registration by clicking on the ‘Status & Print’ option. This will show whether the visit has been approved by your advocate or not.
- On the day of your visit to the High Court of Delhi, go to the Gate Pass Counter and provide your online registration number. The staff at the counter will verify your details, take your photo, and provide you with a hard copy of the Gate Pass if everything is in order.
Conclusion
In summary, absolutely, the High Court is open to the common man. It’s not just about observing court proceedings; a visit offers a wealth of benefits. It helps people understand the legal system, access justice, promote transparency, and accountability. It’s also a great educational opportunity, inspiring civic engagement and promoting legal literacy. By welcoming the public, the High Court encourages participation and contributes to a fair and empowered society where everyone has access to justice.