In a significant move to enhance the efficiency of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court of India has established a committee of judges dedicated to formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for lawyers seeking adjournments in court cases. This initiative is a direct response to the concerns raised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) over the recent discontinuation of the practice of circulating adjournment slips.
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The apex court had previously issued two critical circulars on December 5 and December 22, addressing the discontinuation of this practice. The December 5 circular explicitly stated,
“In order to accommodate the request of listing maximum number of cases in the interest of litigants and in view of the ensuing winter vacation, all stakeholders to note that the practice of circulating adjournment slips/letters is discontinued with immediate effect till December 15, 2023. In case of any genuine difficulty, a request for adjournment can be made before the Court concerned.”
Following the concerns expressed by various bar bodies, the Supreme Court, on December 22, issued another circular, which read,
“In light of the request of SCBA and SCAORA with regard to continuation of circulation of adjournments slips, the Competent Authority has been pleased to constitute a Committee of Hon’ble Judges for preparing a Standard Operating Procedure after inviting suggestions of the Bar & all stakeholders and for working further modalities.”
This committee’s formation marks a collaborative approach, inviting suggestions from the Bar and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and effective SOP. The Supreme Court Bar Association has taken an active role in this process, urging its members to contribute their suggestions by January 2, 2024, particularly focusing on establishing legitimate grounds for seeking adjournments.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has been a strong advocate for reducing unnecessary adjournments, especially in new cases. He has emphasized the importance of this issue, stating,
“I do not want the Supreme Court to become a ‘tarikh-pe-tarikh’ court as such deferment defeats the trust of citizens.”
This statement underlines the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the public’s trust and ensuring timely justice.
This development is a crucial step towards streamlining judicial processes in India. By addressing the issue of adjournments, the Supreme Court aims to enhance the efficiency of legal proceedings, thereby reinforcing the judiciary’s role in delivering timely and effective justice. This initiative reflects the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the legal system, ensuring that it remains responsive and accountable to the public it serves.
