Kerala High Court’s SOP for Model Digital Family Court in Sasthamkotta: Towards Paperless Family Justice

Kerala High Court issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for a Model Digital Family Court in Sasthamkotta. The Court intends it to function paperlessly: filings, records, hearings etc. to be managed electronically. The SOP lays out technological and procedural framework: e-filing of petitions, notices via email, digital record-keeping, electronic service of documents, video conferencing for hearings, digital case management system, etc. It aims to enhance accessibility, reduce delays, improve transparency, reduce cost and burden on litigants. Court also prescribes security measures, guidelines for preservation of digital records, infrastructure requirements and backup procedures. Monitoring system will ensure compliance by court staff and parties. This is part of broader judicial reform to modernize family justice delivery and make justice more accessible.