New Delhi, May 28: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday emphasized that senior advocates should refrain from arguing cases during the summer recess period, a move aimed at promoting opportunities for junior lawyers to gain courtroom experience. This significant observation was made by a bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma during proceedings in a matter concerning an appeal against an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
“Senior lawyers should not argue cases during these partial working days,” the bench remarked while addressing senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Neeraj Kishan Kaul. The bench stressed the importance of encouraging young members of the Bar to take the lead in courtrooms during this period.
The comment came after one of the counsels mentioned the unavailability of senior advocate Shyam Divan and sought an adjournment. The court used the opportunity to underline the role of summer recess in mentoring and fostering legal talent among junior lawyers, rather than serving as a platform for routine appearances by senior counsel.
In line with recent reforms, the Supreme Court has also formally renamed its traditional summer vacation as “partial court working days” through amendments to the Supreme Court Rules, 2013. These changes, brought into effect via the Supreme Court (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, were officially notified on November 5, 2024. The revised rules empower the Chief Justice of India to fix the duration of the court’s summer functioning, provided it does not exceed 95 days (excluding Sundays), and ensure that the court remains operational in a limited capacity.
Under this new framework, the term “vacation judge” has also been replaced with simply “judge,” reflecting a shift away from the notion of a complete judicial recess. The Chief Justice now designates benches to hear urgent and significant matters even during what was traditionally considered court holidays.
According to the Supreme Court’s newly published calendar for 2025, partial court working days will begin on May 26, 2025, and conclude on July 14, 2025.
The apex court’s message is clear: summer recess is not just a period of reduced workload but an opportunity for capacity building within the legal profession. By stepping back, senior advocates can contribute meaningfully to nurturing the next generation of legal minds.