In a significant stride towards embracing digitalization in the legal domain, the Punjab and Haryana High Court proudly unveiled the e-HCR (High Court Reporter) website today. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, inaugurated the website (www.hcph.gov.in), marking a new era in legal accessibility and transparency.
The e-HCR platform is a testament to the judiciary’s commitment to modernization, aligning seamlessly with the Supreme Court of India’s vision to promote online High Court Reporters. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, e-SCR, this digital initiative promises to revolutionize how legal judgments are accessed and utilized.
During the inauguration ceremony, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, Chairperson of the Library, ILR, and Calendar Committee, graced the occasion alongside esteemed members of the Council of Law Reporting and the Library, ILR, and Calendar Committee. The event witnessed the participation of distinguished Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, representatives from the High Court Bar Association, and virtually connected District and Sessions Judges from Punjab, Haryana, and U.T. Chandigarh, along with members from their respective District Bar Associations.
Since its inception in 1875, the Indian Law Reports (ILR) have been a cornerstone of legal documentation, reflecting the evolution of legal jurisprudence in the region. The Punjab series, originating post-independence, metamorphosed into the Indian Law Reports (Punjab and Haryana series) after the formation of Haryana in 1966. Traditionally confined to physical formats, these judgments are now seamlessly accessible through the e-HCR website.
The e-HCR platform boasts an extensive repository of 9,237 judgments, comprising 825 Full Bench judgments and 3,870 Division Bench judgments. Its user-friendly interface allows stakeholders to navigate through judgments using various parameters, catering to the needs of judges, lawyers, and legal enthusiasts alike. Notably, the platform accommodates vernacular languages, offering judgments in Punjabi for cases originating from Punjab and Hindi for those from Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team comprising one Editor and sixteen Advocate-reporters tirelessly work to ensure the accuracy and availability of legal information on the e-HCR platform. Their efforts contribute significantly to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accessibility within the legal fraternity.
The launch of the e-HCR website heralds a new dawn in the Indian judicial landscape, epitomizing the judiciary’s commitment to embracing digital transformation. By reducing reliance on physical documentation and facilitating faster access to legal information, the platform embodies the ethos of a modern and progressive judiciary.
In essence, the e-HCR website not only signifies a technological leap but also symbolizes a broader paradigm shift towards a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive legal system for all.
