Section 17A

The President may, with the approval of the Chief Justice, convene a Council of Judges of the Court of Appeal as and when he deems it necessary.

The Chief Judge may, with the approval of the Chief Justice, convene a Council of Judges of the High Court as and when he deems it necessary.

*NOTE—Section 17 of this Act has been modified by the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020 [Act 829] (which came into operation on 18 March 2020 and continued to be in operation for a period of two years from the date of its publication, that is 22 October 2022), by inserting after subsection (7), a new subsection (8) as follows:

“(8) The Chief Justice may, if the Chief Justice is of the opinion that the circumstances warrant and it is necessary in the interest of the dispensation of justice, public safety, public security, public health or propriety or for other sufficient reason to do so, modify any provision of the rules of court or suspend the application of such rules of court as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before the Courts and to ensure that the administration of justice is carried out.”.

—see paragraph 51(c) in Part XVI of Act 829.

**NOTE—Section 17A of this Act has been modified by the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020 [Act 829] (which came into operation on 18 March 2020 and continued to be in operation for a period of two years from the date of its publication, that is 22 October 2022), by deleting the words “but so that there shall be at least one meeting in each year”. —see section 52 in Part XVI of Act 829.

Courts of Judicature 25

Practice directions