Background of the Circular
The Office of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru, has issued a circular dated 2 November 2026 prescribing a procedure to be followed by court staff and judicial officers while calling out cases in open court.
The circular was issued in response to a representation dated 28 October 2026 submitted by a member of the litigant public, who highlighted the difficulties faced by parties when their names are called out during court proceedings.
Reason for Issuing the Circular
The representation brought to the District Judge's attention an incident in which a litigant was physically present at the court but was standing outside the courtroom when her name was called.
As she could not hear the announcement, the court proceeded with the matter by recording her absence. Consequently, she was required to file an application for recall of the order on the following day.
The District Judge observed that similar incidents had been occurring frequently, causing unnecessary inconvenience to litigants and requiring them to approach the court again to seek appropriate relief.
Directions to Court Staff
To prevent such incidents, the circular directs all judicial officers working under the Dakshina Kannada District Judiciary to ensure that the following procedure is followed while calling cases:
The Bench Assistant shall call out the name of the party inside the courtroom. Simultaneously, the Dafedar shall repeat the name loudly at the entrance of the courtroom so that parties waiting outside can also hear the announcement.
Further, the judicial officer concerned must independently ensure whether the party or litigant is actually present or absent before proceeding with the matter. The court should not proceed merely on the assumption that a party is absent without verifying the position.
In Consideration of Requests Made During the Afternoon Session
The circular also addresses situations where a litigant is absent during the forenoon session but appears before the court during the afternoon session on the same day.
In such circumstances, judicial officers have been requested to consider the litigant's request or application liberally. They have also been advised to consider modifying orders passed during the morning session, wherever possible and legally permissible, to prevent unnecessary hardship to litigants.
Directions to Be Followed Strictly
The Principal District and Sessions Judge has instructed all concerned judicial officers and court staff to comply with these directions scrupulously and without fail.
The circular seeks to ensure that litigants are not prejudiced merely because they are unable to hear their names being called from outside the courtroom. It also emphasises the importance of verifying the actual presence of parties before proceeding with cases and passing orders on the basis of their apparent absence.
Circular Details
Issuing Authority: Office of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru.
Circular Number: No. ADMN/14/02/2026
Date of Circular: 02 November 2026
Subject: Procedure to be followed while calling out cases in Open Court.
Reference: Representation dated 28 October 2026 submitted by a member of the litigant public.
