The evening courts as of now deal with authenticating legal documents regarding appointment of representatives in various cases and extending the custody of the accused. Kathmandu trial court has two benches dealing with civil and criminal cases for the evening session, which goes up to two-and-a-half hours after the regular court time. But the Lalitpur trial court has only one bench dealing with both civil and criminal cases. Judges preside over the evening session on rotational basis.

The formation of such court was recommended in 2011 by a committee headed by then apex court Justice Tahir Ali Ansari.

In its report, the committee had suggested 13 important steps, including holding interactions with stakeholders, managing security on the court premises, recruiting human resources. The committee had recommended evening benches that will be in service from 5:30pm to 8pm. It had also recommended round-the-clock services in courts. The evening courts are also expected to take up full-fledged cases.

The evening sessions were not being operationalised owing to the delay in amending the District Court Regulations. Court officials point out that with evening session in the trial courts, the judges would be in better position to authenticate documents regarding appointment of representatives in various cases.

“Judges remain busy during the day time and therefore find it difficult to do these activities. Even police can have time to seek extension of custody of those under trial,” said Shree Prasad Sanjel, registrar at the Kathmandu District Court. Sanjel said when the evening session commenced at KDC on Sunday, there were five cases for approval of case representative while six were for extending judicial custody.

Manoj KC, registrar at the Lalitpur District Court, said the evening court began on Monday and the court has had a case each for extending custody and case representative authentication on Monday and Tuesday.

Observers, however, are wary of the success of the evening sessions. “Hearing in Kathmandu District Court get over by two in the afternoon. So, I don’t see a need for evening session there.

Instead, such sessions need to be operated at Supreme Court which has overload of cases,” said Sunil Pokharel, general secretary of Nepal Bar Association.

Apex court starts SMS alerts

As part of its initiative to use latest technology to enhance its service, the Supreme Court has started SMS service through which status of every case will be made available to service seekers. The court introduced the service to help service seekers know the date of hearing and learn about the decision issued by the court in the case. The apex court has also introduced a system of seeking court date online from the nearby district or appellate court. In the trial phase, the system has been introduced in 30 district courts across the country. The move comes as part of the third strategic plan of the apex court. The plan also envisions a tele-enquiry whereby a service seeker can file a complaint. The apex court has a toll free number 1660-01-33355 to register complaints.