Following our communication on the 17th of March 2020, wherein we advised of the contingency measures we had put in place in light of the COVID- 19 pandemic, we write to advise of further developments in Zimbabwe.
The President of Zimbabwe on the 26th of March 2020 announced a 21 day lockdown, effective 30 March 2020 to the 19th of April 2020 .To give legal effect and direction to this position the government issued SI 83 of 2020,ordinarily referred to as the National Lockdown Order, 2020. To note from these regulations is the following provision which has a bearing on our operations; –
That every individual is confined to his or her home and may not leave therefrom except temporarily for various emergency reasons outlined.
This has definitely impeded our operations, temporarily and we advise that we will not be able to execute our duties as normal. We will however continue to serve you in the best way possible, in the circumstances as we work from the confines of our homes.
Further to that, for us in the legal services, further direction has been provided by another legal instrument, SI 84/2020 which gives the Chief Justice power to give direction in relation to court matters. Pursuant to that statutory instrument, the Chief Justice has issued a practice direction known as Practice Direction No.1 of 2020. This practice direction gives guidance on the filing of pleadings, process and handling of cases before the Courts from 30 March 2020 to 19 April 2020.
COURT OPERATIONS
To note from that Practice Direction is that filing of new cases will be suspended during this period of lockdown and that the time limited by any rule for the filing of process and or pleadings shall be suspended for the duration of the national lockdown. It is also further stated that,
any act required by the rules to have been done during the period of the lockdown within a specified period of time, shall be done within the specified limit calculated from the first business day following the last day of the lockdown period.
This therefore means that all current matters which we are handling, whose dies induciae falls within this period, will not be effective. The matters have been put on hold and timelines will be effective after the 19th of April 2020.
ZIMBABWE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE (ZIPO)
Operations at the national office have come to a complete halt as the office has been closed for the period of the lockdown. No official direction has been given regarding the issue of time limits and deadlines during this period of lockdown. We have sought guidance from the Registry and have been advised that formal communication is being prepared and we will be guided by that directive as and when it will be issued. Meanwhile, we are receiving instructions, but we will only be effectively attending to same after the lock down.
AFRICAN REGIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANISATION (ARIPO)
In a notice issued by the Director General on 30th March 2020 , the office has advised users of the physical closure of the office from 30th March 2020 to the 19th of April 2020 following the National Lockdown ordered by the Government of Zimbabwe.However,ARIPO emphasised that it will remain operational, it being a digitally run office with an online system. Their operations will not be crippled as their staff will be working from home.
WAY FORWARD
In trying to effectively serve you, we will continue to work on our routine processes and we will attend to all your enquiries. We will ensure that all matters run smoothly and that the proprietor’s rights are protected and safeguarded during this Covid-19 meltdown.
CONTACTS
All our emails are fully active, every member of staff is still manning their portfolio and remains functional in their roles. For any emergencies, however, do not hesitate to contact the undersigned on, [email protected] or on mobile number provided, should the situation require so.
Let us continue to exercise caution, safety and of course keep our mental health in check during these challenging times. Everything will be okay, it is just a matter of time.
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