Justice Sanjay Karol Also Bars Senior Advocates From Appearing During Partial Court Working Days

On the first day of the Partial Working Days of the Supreme Court, several benches did not allow senior advocates to appear on the reasoning that young advocates must be given opportunities during the vacation.

Justice Vikram Nath announced in the morning itself that senior will not be pemitted to argue. A similar approach was taken by the bench led by Justice Sanjay Karol as well.

During the proceedings, a Senior Advocate informed the Court that she would withdraw her matters as Senior Advocates were not being permitted to appear during the Partial Working Days.

"I have learnt that My Lords have requested seniors not to appear. I won't take any matters from tomorrow onwards," she submitted.

Responding in a lighter vein, Justice Karol remarked, "No, you have to withdraw it immediately."

The Senior Advocate then informed the Bench that she was, in fact, withdrawing the matter and added, "I also didn't open my mouth as I was told now [that seniors aren't allowed]."

In another matter before the same Bench, the parties had circulated a letter seeking adjournment. Consequently, the judges had not read the case files. However, when the matter was called out merely to record the request for adjournment, counsel unexpectedly appeared and urged the Court to hear the case on merits.

Justice Karol orally observed that such conduct was unfair to the Court. He remarked that during the Partial Working Days, parties often seek adjournments, prompting judges not to prepare the matter, only to later insist on a hearing. Conversely, during regular working days, the Court reads the briefs in anticipation of arguments, only for parties to seek adjournments at the last moment.

The Supreme Court's summer recess was redesignated as "Partial Working Days" following amendments to the Supreme Court Rules in 2024.