The Supreme Court
has constituted a committee of judges for preparing a standard operating
procedure (SOP) for lawyers seeking adjournment of proceedings.
The panel has
invited suggestions of the Bar and other stakeholders on the issue.
The development
comes after the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocate on
Record Association raised concern over circulars issued by the top court about
discontinuation of the practice of circulation of adjournment slips.
The apex court
had issued two circulars on December 5 and 22 regarding discontinuation of the
practice.
"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 December 15, 2023. In case of any genuine difficulty, a
request for adjournment can be made before the Court concerned," the
circular issued on December 5 had said.
After various bar
bodies voiced their concern, the top court issued a circular on December 22
which said," In light of the request of SCBA and SCAORA with regard to
continuation of circulation of adjournments slips, the Competent Authority has
been pleased to constitute a Committee of Hon'ble Judges for preparing a
Standard Operating Procedure after inviting suggestions of the Bar & all
stakeholders and for working further modalities.
In the meanwhile,
it said, the practice of circulation of adjournment slips stands discontinued
till further orders.
The Supreme Court
Bar Association has requested all its members to share their suggestions by
January 2, 2024 regarding legitimate grounds for seeking adjournments.
Chief Justice D Y
Chandrachud had earlier urged lawyers to not seek adjournments in fresh
matters, saying he does not want the Supreme Court to become a
'tarikh-pe-tarikh' court as such deferment defeats the trust of citizens.