The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued a directive instructing all High Court judges and judicial officers to ensure that all pending court production items are cleared by December 31, 2025, in accordance with Circular No. 422 A.
According to the circular, court staff are permitted to work on weekends and public holidays between October 18 and December 31, 2025, to facilitate the timely clearance process. The JSC clarified that such work does not require prior approval from the Commission.
The circular further outlines supervision procedures for the clearance process. In High Courts, access to production item rooms or archives must be monitored by an officer designated by the High Court Judge. In District and Magistrate’s Courts, supervision must be carried out by the District Judge, Magistrate, Additional District Judge, or Additional Magistrate, with court operations under the direct oversight of the Registrar or Deputy Registrar.
It also emphasizes that the opening of court offices during this period must take place under the direct supervision of the Registrar or Deputy Registrar.
The directive was issued by D.M.J. Dissanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary, acting as Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission.
