Public Notice F. No. 1(1)/CESTAT/Comp/SOFT/2012,

dated 16-11-2012

CESTAT, New Delhi Bench is presently implementing a computerization programme to improve the management of information about cases handled and also to improve the means of communication between CESTAT and litigants before CESTAT.

2. Department of Post has also been continuously in touch with CESTAT to improve the way in which the addresses are written on the envelopes that are being despatched. We are attending to this issue and progressively improving the structure and completeness of the addresses. One major defect pointed out by the Department of Post is that addresses do not indicate pin codes. We can avoid these defects only if the appellants/respondents and advocates furnish full and complete addresses in a structured form as indicated in the annexures to this public notice.

3. Shortly we will start communicating with all the litigants through e-mails and SMSes about appeal numbers and application numbers assigned in fresh causes, next date of hearing of the causes and also about despatch of orders. This service can be extended only if the e-mail addresses and mobile phone numbers of the parties are recorded in our database.

4. To enable CESTAT to implement the above plans, the litigants who file appeals or are respondents in appeals and their counsels or representatives are requested to comply with the following requirements:

(i) All counsel or representatives who regularly appear in CESTAT New Delhi should furnish an information sheet, as per Annexure-1 to this public notice, in the Central Registry. Each such person is assigned a code in our database. The existing codes are published on CESTAT website for ready reference. Whenever there is change in any address please furnish a new Anexure-1 indicating the codes.

(ii) When counsel or representatives file appeals or prepare papers for appellants to file appeals they should make sure that pincodes, e-mail address and mobile number of appellant and to the extent possible of the respondent are indicated correctly in concerned items in the Appeal Memorandum and Cross objection (like in items like 6 and 7 of CA-3, 7 and 8 of ST-5 and 6 and 7 of EA-3 etc.).The existing forms require that e-mail addresses should be furnished. However litigants are not deligently furnishing this information. In future e-mail address and mobile phone numbers may be furnished deligently. CBEC is presently considering a proposal to notify new forms which will have separate columns for these details. However please furnish such details even though it is not yet specifically notified.

(iii) Whenever a respondent in a case receives notice regarding appeal filed against them they should communicate their email address and mobile telephone numbers to the Registry of CESTAT, as per Annexure-2.

(iv) Further whenever a counsel or authorized representative appears for the first time in court to represent an appellant or respondent in a case he should file Annexure-2 with the court master.

(v) Whenever a counsel or authorized representative is engaged by replacing another counsel already on record, it is necessary that the name of the old Counsel or representative gets replaced. Other-wise communication will continue to go to the old addresses. So special care should be taken by counsel and representatives in this regard.

5. Once we start sending e-mail communication and SMSes we will put up a notice in the Bar Room. After we have started the process if you are not receiving messages (e-mails and SMS) regarding fresh dates of hearing, please get in touch with Central Registry, to rectify the mistake if any.

Annexure-1

To be completed by Advocates regularly appearing in CESTAT, New Delhi

 

 Annexure-2

Information Sheet to be furnished when an advocate appears for the first time either for an appellant or respondent in any case

 

Court communication modernization: parties must provide structured addresses, emails and mobile numbers for digital notices. The tribunal's computerisation requires advocates, litigants and respondents to furnish structured postal addresses (including pin code), e-mail addresses and mobile numbers using Annexure-1 (advocates) and Annexure-2 (case-specific) so the Registry can assign advocate codes, record replacements of counsel, and send electronic communications (e-mail/SMS) concerning appeal/application numbers, hearing dates and order dispatches; parties must update the Registry to avoid misdirected communications.