SCAORA General Body Doubles Membership Fee, Seeks End Of Sequencing System & 48-Hour Deadline For Registry To Mark Defects

The resolution was passed by a show of hands at SCAORA's General Body Meeting held on August 12, 2026 in New Delhi.

The resolution seeks a predictable system under which matters are taken up according to their serial numbers. SCAORA said that this would promote greater predictability and uniformity and enable Advocates-on-Record to plan their appearances effectively.

The General Body also unanimously passed a resolution seeking changes in the Registry's system of marking and curing defects.

Under the resolution, defects in a matter filed before the Registry should be scrutinised and notified within 48 hours of filing. The time taken by the Registry to cure defects should be excluded and no application for condonation of delay should be required for the period attributable to the Registry.

The resolution further states that defects should be marked as per the Handbook and the name of the dealing assistant should be reflected in the case status.

It also seeks comprehensive marking of defects in every Petition, Miscellaneous Application or Interim Application at the first scrutiny itself. No fresh defects should be raised at a subsequent scrutiny after the defects initially notified have been cured.

In cases of re-filing, any subsequent defect should be confined to the re-filed or rectified material and should not result in scrutiny of the entire Special Leave Petition afresh.

SCAORA has also called for a clear, time-bound and transparent scrutiny mechanism with consistent standards and accountability, including time-bound re-verification after defects are cured. The resolution further states that Chamber matters should not be added abruptly. The resolution was unanimously passed by a show of hands.

Another resolution seeks an amendment to the Trust Deed of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Welfare Trust to induct all 12 elected SCAORA Executive Committee members as ex officio Trustees, with voting rights, for the duration of their respective tenure as members of the Executive Committee.

The General Body said that the members of the Bar are the primary beneficiaries of the Welfare Trust and requested the Board of Trustees to consider and effect the necessary amendment to the Trust Deed in accordance with its provisions. This resolution was passed by majority by a show of hands.

On chambers for advocates, SCAORA unanimously resolved that the 1.92 acres of land allotted near ITO for Advocates' Chambers should be used exclusively for construction of proper, functional and affordable chambers for advocates, and not for workstations.

It further resolved that any proposal or plan concerning development and utilisation of the land should be properly discussed and deliberated upon with the SCAORA Executive Committee before being finalized, so that the project addresses the professional requirements of advocates practising before the Supreme Court.

The General Body also passed a resolution stating that Advocates-on-Record should be involved in the Advocate-on-Record Examination process. This resolution was unanimously passed by a show of hands.

SCAORA also unanimously resolved to double its annual membership subscription from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000. The enhanced subscription will take effect from a date to be determined by the Executive Committee.

The resolution cites the increased size and activities of SCAORA, rising administrative and operational expenses, and growing welfare, professional and institutional requirements of the Association as the reasons for the increase. It states that the additional subscription will be used to strengthen SCAORA's financial capacity to meet existing commitments and undertake further welfare, professional and institutional initiatives for its members.

The General Body also unanimously resolved that mentioning in cases of urgency should be permitted in open Court upon production of the Diary Number.