The Supreme Court has permitted advocates to appear through video conferencing until February 20 in view of expected traffic congestion during the AI Impact Summit scheduled at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The decision was taken following a request by the Supreme Court Bar Association, which highlighted the likelihood of severe movement restrictions in and around the venue during the summit. Considering the inconvenience that may be faced by lawyers in reaching the court premises, the Registry issued a circular allowing virtual appearances for those unable to attend physically.

As per the circular, relevant video conferencing links will be shared with the Advocates-on-Record to facilitate smooth participation in court proceedings.

The court has clarified that virtual appearance will remain optional. All benches will continue to function in hybrid mode during this period, ensuring that proceedings can take place both physically and online without disruption.

The arrangement is intended to maintain regular court functioning while accommodating practical challenges arising from the high-profile event in the national capital.