In a bid to streamline legal proceedings and upholding the principles of expeditious justice delivery, the Supreme Court of India today has issued a circular, introducing SOP for governing the circulation of letters for adjournment of cases. Outlined in the circular the new guidelines delineate the precise procedures and modalities to be adhered to when seeking adjournment of cases.

Here's a breakdown of the key provisions: 

1) Procedure in after-notice miscellaneous matters:

a) No letters for adjournment shall be entertained in cases:

i) relating to bail/anticipatory bail;

ii) where exemption from surrendering has been granted;

iii) where interim order is operating in favour of the party who seeks

adjournment; and

iv) where suspension of sentence has been sought for.

b) In other matters, letters for adjournment can be circulated till one day prior to publication of the main list.

2) Request for adjournment of case shall be submitted in the prescribed format as per Annexure ‘A’ through e-mail: adjournment.letter@sci.nic.in.

3) Specific reason for seeking adjournment and number of adjournments already sought shall be mentioned.

4) It is mandatory to obtain consent/no objection of advocates/parties appearing on the other side / Caveator before circulating the letter for adjournment.

5) Letters can be circulated by one party/counsel to the case only once.

6) Two consecutive adjournments, irrespective of which party is seeking an adjournment, shall not be permitted without the matter being listed before the Court.

7) Matters so adjourned will be listed before the Court within an outer limit of four weeks with a specific date of listing and no mentioning for seeking preponement of the date in such matters is permitted.

8) Letter(s) seeking adjournment shall be placed before the competent authority. If such request(s) is/are considered favorably, the list of matters not listed as per schedule will be notified on the website of this Court.

9) Circulating letters for adjournment in fresh and regular hearing matters is not permitted.

These guidelines, effective immediately, aim to curtail frivolous adjournment requests while ensuring fair and efficient resolution of legal matters.

Read Circular: Circular regarding procedure/modalities relating to circulation of Letters for adjournment of cases