New Delhi, 27-12-2023 : The Supreme Court has taken a significant step by forming a committee of judges to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) concerning lawyers seeking adjournments during proceedings. This decision follows concerns raised by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association regarding circulars issued by the apex court regarding the discontinuation of the practice of circulating adjournment slips.
The circulars issued on December 5 and 22 outlined the discontinuation of the practice of circulating adjournment slips/letters until December 15, 2023. The rationale behind this decision was to accommodate the request for listing the maximum number of cases in the interest of litigants and in light of the upcoming winter vacation. However, this move raised concerns among various bar bodies.
Responding to the concerns, the Supreme Court issued a circular on December 22, stating that the Competent Authority has constituted a Committee of Hon’ble Judges to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure. This committee will invite suggestions from the Bar and all stakeholders and work on further modalities. In the interim, the practice of circulating adjournment slips remains discontinued until further orders.
The Supreme Court Bar Association has urged its members to share their suggestions by January 2, 2024, specifically focusing on legitimate grounds for seeking adjournments. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has previously appealed to lawyers not to seek adjournments in fresh matters, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the court turning into a ‘tarikh-pe-tarikh’ court, as such delays undermine the trust of citizens in the legal system.