Specifications
Assumptions
Judgement
A digitally signed judgement is considered True Certified copy of Judgement
Case Status
The case status of the case changes as per the orders being used. The assumption is that judges can be onboarded such that they stick to the defined order templates and not issue generic orders instead.
Orders
Order Forms
The option to generate orders will be available at multiple points post the case being filed, even post-judgement. Orders may be against applications raised by parties.
Orders can instruct the litigants/advocates/witnesses on a single action or multiple actions at one point in time based on Judge Discretion.
Once the user opens the order form, they can choose an order type, based on which appropriate fields will be displayed in the UI.
There will be standard order templates available in the system for various order types. The templates will be filled in based on the values filled in and available in the system.
Depending on the entry-point to the order drafting page, certain values, such as order type, can also be autofilled.
The user will not be able to submit the Order until all mandatory values are filled.
The user may also choose to pronounce an order beyond the ones for which predefined content is available. In such a case, the judge will be required to write out the content to be published as part of the order. The product should also for copy pasting of order content from other orders
Draft Order
To assist the Judge, the bench clerk may draft an order on behalf of the judge. However, the final order can be published only by the judge
The user should be able to save the order as a draft. On saving a draft, the status of an order is moved to “Order Drafted”.
The judge/bench clerk will be indicated which orders are in the draft stage. Orders in draft stage will only be visible to the judge and bench clerk.
The values will be stored and will be visible to the user when he/she opens the case again
The values will be retained even if the user logs out and logs in again
The value of the remaining fields can be updated. Additionally, values of already entered fields may be edited
The user may continue to add/edit field values without any restrictions as long as the test is in the Draft stage.
Digital signing of Orders
For the publishing of orders, digital signing of orders is required.
Publishing of Orders
Once an order has been digitally signed, the same will be published in PDF format.
The pdf will be available for view and download in the documents tab of the ‘View Case’ File screen
All documents related to the case will be made downloadable through a QR code
Trigger of Actions via orders
The following order types will trigger workflow details in the system:
Order for Notice
Order for Document Submission
Order for Summons
Order for Bail
Order for Warrants
Order for Payment against Penalty
The following orders will lead to an update of information related to case/hearings:
Order for Extension of Document Submission Date
Order for Next Hearing
Order for Reschedule of Hearing Date
Order for Edit of case details
Order for Transferring Case to ADR
For Orders of the category ‘Other’, no action will be triggered.
Litigants and their lawyers will be notified in case the order expects an action from them (e.g. sharing of address, submitting list of witnesses etc.)
SMS Notifications: Parties should be notified via SMS at various points. A list of SMS at various points is mentioned here.
Ideas for Future Development
The following are out of scope for V1.0
UI for configuring Order Template: The current version does not include a UI for configuring order, application, or judgment templates. Future enhancements could introduce this feature, allowing for greater customisation and flexibility.
UI for configuring Judgement Template
Making all documents related to the case, including orders available on digilocker
Order Revocation: Currently, once an application or order is raised, it cannot be revoked. Adding this functionality could provide greater control and flexibility in managing legal processes.
Advanced Document Management: Future updates could include more granular controls for editing and managing case details, including the ability to revoke judgments or reopen closed cases based on new applications or orders.
In case of an order for settlement, the ability of the litigant to decide whether the case should be opened or remain closed.
Scheduling a judgment hearing schedules a Pending Task for the court typist/stenographer to draft the judgment.
DigiLocker Integration: Future versions could make all case-related documents, including orders, available on DigiLocker, enhancing accessibility and security.
Functional Specs
Available in the Orders and Applications sheet here.
These specs are used to populate the order templates available here.
Last updated