Introduction

In December, the Supreme Court of India issued significant procedural directions aimed at curbing delays, ensuring judicial efficiency, and promoting disciplined case management. These guidelines primarily address the grant of adjournments and the manner of filing written submissions and conducting oral arguments, reflecting the Court’s continuing concern over prolonged pendency of cases.
Guidelines on Adjournments
With effect from 1 December, the Supreme Court revised its protocol governing requests for adjournments. The Court clarified that adjournments are not a matter of right and should be sought only in exceptional circumstances. Adjournment requests are to be made strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure and will generally not be entertained in matters fixed for final hearing or in mentioned matters.
As per the revised protocol, any request for adjournment must be circulated in advance, ordinarily by 11:00 a.m. on the preceding working day. Such requests must clearly disclose the specific reason for seeking adjournment and must also mention the number of adjournments previously sought in the matter. Importantly, adjournment letters are to be entertained only with the prior consent of the opposite party or counsel, barring exceptional situations.
The Supreme Court has indicated that valid grounds for adjournment may include circumstances such as medical emergencies, bereavement in the family, or other compelling reasons, subject to the satisfaction of the Court. Requests based merely on convenience, lack of preparedness, or routine grounds are strongly discouraged. The underlying objective of these directions is to instil accountability among litigants and counsel and to prevent unnecessary prolongation of proceedings.
While the Court has not prescribed a uniform numerical cap on adjournments across all categories of cases, it has reiterated that repeated adjournments defeat the purpose of speedy justice. The December directions align with earlier judicial pronouncements emphasising that courts must actively manage proceedings and discourage dilatory tactics.
Guidelines on Written Submissions and Oral Arguments
Towards the end of December, the Supreme Court also issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) concerning written submissions and oral arguments. This SOP aims to make hearings more focused and time-efficient.
The Court has encouraged parties to file concise and structured written submissions, avoiding unnecessary verbosity. Although no rigid page limit has been universally prescribed, the emphasis is on brevity, clarity, and relevance, enabling the Court to identify the core issues without being burdened by excessive material. In appropriate cases, the Court may indicate suggested limits on the length of written submissions.
Further, counsel are expected to indicate time estimates for oral arguments in advance, facilitating better scheduling and effective use of court time. The Supreme Court has stressed that oral submissions should supplement, and not merely repeat, written arguments.
Conclusion
The December guidelines reflect the Supreme Court’s broader commitment to judicial discipline, efficiency, and expeditious disposal of cases. By tightening the norms governing adjournments and encouraging concise written and oral advocacy, the Court seeks to balance procedural fairness with the constitutional mandate of speedy justice. These directions serve as an important reminder that procedural indulgence cannot be allowed to undermine the effective administration of justice.