“Seniors should not mention matters for listing”: CJI asks senior advocates to let juniors mention

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Synopsis

Mentioning in Supreme Court happens in the Court of the Chief Justice of India prior to the bench commencing its list. Matters which require an urgent listing are mentioned before the bench. 

The Chief Justice of India Justice Ramana while discouraging senior counsels to mention matters for urgent listing asked them today to let the Advocates on Record or juniors mention the matter.

Prior to commencing of the board, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared online to mention a case. To this, the CJI said,” I think it is better that we don’t permit seniors to mention matters. Let juniors mention.”

Dr.Singhvi replied to this saying, “It should be applied uniformly, milords.” The CJI, however, refused to let him mention and asked the AoRs to mention the matters.

Subsequently, Senior Counsel, Kapil Sibal sought court’s permission to mention a matter before the bench, also consisting of Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli.

The CJI said, “This applies to all the seniors here. Mr.Sibal, please ask your AoR or junior colleague to mention the matter.” Upon hearing this, Sibal agreed, while remarking that it is a welcome change.

On a previous occasion, CJI Ramana, while hearing a mentioning by Dr.Singhvi, had said “There has been a request from junior members of the bar to hear juniors during mentions too and not only seniors.”

CJI had also remarked that the bench did not want to give any special priority to seniors, and deprive juniors of their opportunities, hence a system was made, to ensure that all the members of the bar get equal opportunity.