CJI Welcomes New Year, Advises Physical Letters For Urgent Listings

Sanjiv Khanna

As the Supreme Court resumed operations on January 2, 2025, following its winter vacation (December 21, 2024, to January 1, 2025), Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna extended warm new year wishes to lawyers and litigants.

“I wish you all a happy new year. May you have a happy new year, your families…,” the CJI remarked at the start of the day’s proceedings.

The CJI also addressed a technical issue regarding the email system for mentioning urgent cases, stating, “I am told the email for mentioning is not working. You can move the physical letters accordingly.” He assured that such letters would be reviewed later in the afternoon, and appropriate orders would be issued for listing the cases.

Justice Khanna, after assuming office as CJI, introduced reforms to streamline the process of mentioning urgent cases. He ended the practice of oral submissions for urgent listings, requiring lawyers to either email or submit written letters to request out-of-turn listings. This procedural change aims to bring greater efficiency and transparency to the system.

Traditionally, lawyers would mention urgent matters orally before the CJI-led bench at the beginning of the day’s proceedings, seeking expedited hearings. However, the new system necessitates written communication, ensuring all requests are documented and processed systematically.

With the Supreme Court reopening, the focus is expected to shift back to significant pending cases and fresh matters, as the judiciary begins its first sessions of the new year under CJI Khanna’s leadership.