Delhi HC Fines Lawyer for Seeking Adjournment Without Informing Opposite Counsel

The Delhi High Court imposed a cost of Rs. 15,000 on a lawyer for seeking an adjournment without giving prior notice to the opposing counsel, observing that such conduct caused avoidable inconvenience and could not be countenanced.

Justice Anish Dayal passed the order on January 28 while dealing with a matter in which an adjournment was sought on behalf of the respondent. The request was opposed by the petitioner’s counsel, who pointed out that adjournments had already been taken on the previous two dates.

During the hearing, the respondent’s counsel submitted that he had been required to travel outside Delhi to appear in another matter listed in a different State. The Court, however, noted that no advance intimation had been given to the petitioner’s counsel regarding the intended request for adjournment.

Taking note of this lapse, the Court observed that the failure to inform the other side beforehand disrupted the smooth conduct of proceedings and resulted in unnecessary inconvenience; Such a manner of seeking adjournment, it said, deserved to be strongly deprecated.

While allowing the request, the Court directed that a cost of Rs. 15,000 be paid by the respondent’s counsel to the petitioner’s counsel within a period of two weeks.

The order underscored the Court’s emphasis on professional courtesy and procedural discipline, particularly in situations where repeated adjournments were sought.

It reiterated that although genuine difficulties might arise, advocates were expected to communicate in advance and ensure fairness to the opposing side.

The development also aligned with the Practice Direction issued in November 2025, which had mandated that adjournment slips must specify concrete reasons, failing which they would not be accepted by Court Masters.

The High Court had since begun imposing costs where adjournments were sought without sufficient cause or without prior notice to the other side.

Case Title: Om Prakash Malhotra & Anr. v. Sachin Malhotra

Bench: Justice Anish Dayal

Date of order: 28.01.2026