SC Forms Committee to Draft SOP on Adjournments

The Supreme Court has set up a panel of judges tasked with formulating a standard operating procedure (SOP) for attorneys seeking adjournment of proceedings. The committee has extended an invitation for suggestions from the Bar and other stakeholders on this matter.

This initiative follows concerns raised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association regarding circulars issued by the apex court, which announced the discontinuation of the practice of circulating adjournment slips.

On December 5 and 22, the Supreme Court issued two circulars addressing the discontinuation of the practice. The circular issued on December 5 stated, “In order to accommodate the request of listing the maximum number of cases in the interest of litigants and in view of the ensuing winter vacation, all stakeholders are to note that the practice of circulating adjournment slips/letters is discontinued with immediate effect until December 15, 2023. In case of any genuine difficulty, a request for adjournment can be made before the Court concerned.”

Following concerns expressed by various bar bodies, the top court issued another circular on December 22, stating, “In light of the request of SCBA and SCAORA with regard to the continuation of the circulation of adjournment slips, the Competent Authority has been pleased to constitute a Committee of Hon’ble Judges for preparing a Standard Operating Procedure after inviting suggestions from the Bar & all stakeholders and for working further modalities. In the meanwhile, the practice of the circulation of adjournment slips stands discontinued until further orders.”

The Supreme Court Bar Association has urged its members to share their suggestions by January 2, 2024, regarding legitimate grounds for seeking adjournments. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had previously urged lawyers not to seek adjournments in fresh matters, emphasizing his desire to prevent the Supreme Court from becoming a ‘tarikh-pe-tarikh’ court, as such deferments undermine the trust of citizens.