The Supreme Court has established a panel of judges to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for attorneys requesting adjournments during legal proceedings. This initiative comes in response to concerns raised by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association regarding circulars issued by the court on December 5 and 22. These circulars indicated the discontinuation of the practice of circulating adjournment slips.
To address the apprehensions expressed by various bar associations, the Supreme Court issued a subsequent circular on December 22, acknowledging the request to continue the circulation of adjournment slips.
The Competent Authority has now formed a Committee of Hon’ble Judges to develop a Standard Operating Procedure, seeking input from the Bar and all stakeholders. Until further notice, the practice of circulating adjournment slips has been suspended.
The Supreme Court Bar Association has urged its members to submit suggestions by January 2, 2024, specifically focusing on legitimate grounds for seeking adjournments. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had previously urged lawyers not to seek adjournments in new cases, expressing a desire to prevent the Supreme Court from becoming a court marked by repeated adjournments, known colloquially as a ‘tarikh-pe-tarikh’ court, as such delays undermine the public's trust in the legal system.
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