The practice of broadcasting the circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry on December 5, a day before the listing of a case, has been discontinued till the last working day of the year i.e. Friday, December 15, on which the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has protested.
The circular said that in view of the upcoming annual winter vacation in December, the apex court has announced amendments to the procedure for seeking adjournment “in the interest of litigants”. “In the interest of the litigants and to accommodate the request for listing of maximum number of cases in view of the upcoming winter vacation, all stakeholders are informed that the practice of circulating adjournment slips/letters will be discontinued with immediate effect till 15.12.2023 “In case of any genuine difficulty, an adjournment may be requested before the concerned court.”
The lawyers’ association expressed its dissatisfaction, commenting that its members were receiving complaints as a result of the new system. Citing “abrupt and faulty listing of cases by the registry”.
The association stressed that the absence of prior notice could place an ‘undue burden’ on lawyers unwilling to argue a case. Moreover, it may be contrary to the best interests of the litigants and the convenience of the judges.
“The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association has received several complaints from members of the Bar against the circular. It resolves to strongly oppose the implementation of the above circular which violates the well established practice of circulating letters in the best interest of the litigants. and for the convenience of judges. The lack of prior notice may result in undue burden on lawyers for unprepared cases, especially in view of the present sudden and faulty listing of cases by the Registry.” As a result, the association has urged Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to “expedite the reversal of this circular” and allow lawyers to continue filing the stay letter a day before the matter is listed.
