Supreme Court Introduces SOP Mandating Timelines For Oral Arguments To Streamline Hearings
Aiming at improving court management and speedy disposal of cases, the Supreme Court has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribing strict timelines for the submission and conduct of oral arguments in all post-notice and regular hearing matters.
Mandatory Timelines for Oral Arguments Needs To Be Stated In Advance
Under the new SOP, Senior Advocates, arguing counsel, and Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) are now required to submit a proposed timeline for oral arguments at least one day before the commencement of the hearing. This information must be furnished to the Court through the online Appearance Slip portal, which is already available to Advocates-on-Record.
The circular makes it clear that the responsibility for compliance lies jointly with Senior Advocates, arguing counsel, and the AoR concerned.
Written Submissions Capped at Five Pages
To further assist the Bench in efficient hearing and preparation, the SOP mandates that a brief note or written submission, not exceeding five pages, must be filed at least three days prior to the scheduled date of hearing. Such submissions must be served in advance on the opposing party.
The filing may be done through the Advocate-on-Record or through Nodal Counsel nominated by the Court, where applicable. The objective, the circular notes, is to ensure adherence to timelines and enable focused oral arguments during hearings.
Strict Adherence to Allotted Time
Importantly, the Supreme Court has emphasized that all counsel must strictly adhere to the timelines fixed by the Court and conclude their oral arguments within the allotted time. This marks a clear institutional push towards curbing prolonged and repetitive oral submissions, a concern that has often been flagged in high-volume constitutional and commercial litigation.