SC asks lawyers to maintain timelines for arguments
The Supreme Court has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribing timelines for oral arguments by lawyers in all post-notice and regular hearing matters. The step is aimed at improving court management and expediting the delivery of justice. Chief Justice Surya Kant and the other Supreme Court judges came out with a circular on Monday prescribing an SOP for adhering to timelines for submission of oral arguments in all cases.
The SOP, which comes into force with immediate effect, says, “Senior advocates, arguing counsel and/or advocate-on-record, shall submit the timelines for making oral arguments in all post-notice and regular hearing matters, at least a day prior to the commencement of the hearing of the case.
The same shall be submitted to the Court through the online portal for submitting appearance slips already provided to the advocate-on-record (AoR),” said the circular dated December 29. It said that the arguing counsel, including senior advocates, through their AoR or nodal counsel, nominated by the bench, if any, shall file a brief note or written submission not exceeding five pages after serving a copy on the other side at least three days before the date of hearing.
“All counsel shall strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral arguments,” the circular, signed by four Supreme Court registrars, said.
The move is aimed at improving court management and ensuring equitable distribution of working hours among benches. According to the circular, Senior Advocates and arguing counsel must now indicate in advance how much time they intend to take for oral submissions. The timelines must be submitted through the Court’s online appearance slip portal at least a day before the hearing.
The Court said this measure is intended to promote “effective court management and equitable distribution of court working hours” while ensuring the “speedy and proper administration of justice.” In addition to pre-submitted timelines, the circular also makes it mandatory for all arguing counsel or Senior Advocates to file short written submissions, limited to five pages, at least three days prior to the date of the hearing.
These notes are to be filed through the Advocate-on-Record or any nodal counsel appointed by the Court, after serving a copy to the opposite side. “All counsel shall strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral arguments,” said the circular.
