6 Dec 2023 6:01 AM GMT
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has objected to a circular released yesterday by the Supreme Court registry discontinuing the practice of circulating adjournment letters or slips one day before a matter is listed, until the last working day of the year, i.e., Friday, December 15.
Ahead of the annual winter break in December, the top court notified a change in the process of seeking adjournment "in the interest of litigants". The circular, issued on December 5, states -
"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 15.12.2023. In case of any genuine difficulty, a request for adjournment can be made before the court concerned."
This change in the process of seeking the deferment of a hearing, however, has left the SCAORA unhappy. Expressing its dissatisfaction, the lawyers' body said that this new mechanism has led to complaints from its members. Pointing to the "sudden and faulty listing of matters by the registry", the association has said that the absence of prior notice may result in an 'unfair burden' on lawyers who are unprepared to argue a matter. Not only this, it would also be against the best interest of litigants and the convenience of judges. The resolution reads:
The association has, therefore, urged Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to "expedite the reversal of this circular" and allow lawyers to continue circulating adjournment letters one day before a matter is listed.
#SupremeCourt Advocates on Record Association opposes Supreme Court's decision to discontinue circulation of adjournment letters till December 15 pic.twitter.com/Y031lM333y