281 attorneys have written to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, protesting to the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the practice of issuing adjournment letters or slips one day before a matter is scheduled.
The highest court announced a modification to the adjournment procedure “in the interest of litigants” before to the yearly winter break last year. The practice of sending adjournment letters or slips was put on hold until the final working day of the year by the circular, which was released on December 5.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) both voiced opposition to the move and urged the court to keep up this tradition. In response to these arguments, the highest court established a judges’ group to draft an adjournment standard operating procedure (SoP) with participation from the bar and other relevant parties. However, it was decided to stop using letters or slips to request a hearing postponement until additional instructions were given. The following is what the December 22 circular says:
“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 and all stakeholders and for working further modalities. In the meanwhile, the practice of circulation of adjournment slips stands discontinued till further orders.”
The attorneys who have written to the chief justice contend, however, that there would be “serious consequences” for the bench and the bar should the current system be abandoned during the interregnum. They have asked Chief Justice Chandrachud and the judges’ committee to restore the old method of requesting adjournments by distributing slips till a new one is put in place in light of these possible repercussions.