Supreme Court On Adjournments: Give Specific Reasons, Disclose Prior Adjournments Sought

The Chief Justice of India has issued certain procedure / modalities to be followed for circulation of letters seeking adjournment of cases.

Notably, no Letters seeking for adjournment of regular cases listed before the Courts is permitted.

For fresh and after notice matters, it has been ordered that adjournment of the case will be considered only under exceptional circumstances i.e., bereavement in the family or medical / health condition of the Advocate / Party in-person or such other genuine reason to the satisfaction of the Court.

"Letters seeking adjournment in fresh cases are permitted to be circulated only once. Two consecutive adjournments, irrespective of which party is seeking an adjournment, shall not be permitted without the case being listed before the Court," the Circular adds.

Furthermore, specific reason for seeking adjournment and number of adjournments already sought in the case shall be mentioned in the letters seeking adjournment.

"Advocates-on-Record / Parties in-person shall serve the copy of the Letter seeking for adjournment, in advance, on the Advocates-on Record / Parties in-person appearing on the other side / Caveator and submit such a request with proof of service before 11:00 a.m., on the previous working day. The Advocates-on-Record / Parties in-person appearing on the other side / Caveator will have liberty to raise objection to such a request, through response on the aforesaid e-mail before 12:00 noon and such objection, if any received, will also be circulated before the Hon’ble Court," the Circular states.