New Delhi: The Supreme Court has introduced stricter guidelines to curb frequent adjournments, making it clear that requests for postponing hearings will now be accepted only in rare and exceptional circumstances. The move aims to streamline court proceedings and reduce unnecessary delays in the judicial process.
According to the new directions, letters seeking adjournment can be circulated only by Advocates on Record or by parties appearing in person. Such requests must be shared in advance with the opposing party or caveator. Proof of service must also be submitted before 11:00 am on the previous working day to ensure transparency and fairness in the process.
The opposing side has been given the right to challenge these requests. Any objections must be sent through email before 12:00 noon on the previous working day and will be placed before the court for consideration.
The court has specified that adjournments will be granted only under exceptional conditions. These may include circumstances such as a bereavement in the family, serious medical or health issues affecting the advocate or party appearing in person, or any other valid reason that the court finds satisfactory.
The new framework also imposes clear limits on the number of adjournments permitted. Requests can be circulated only once in fresh cases, and two consecutive adjournments will not be allowed unless the matter is placed before the court for review.
All applications seeking adjournment must follow a prescribed format and be submitted through email as outlined in the official guidelines. The court has also stated that no adjournment letters will be entertained for regular matters listed before the bench.
The decision comes at a time when the Supreme Court is handling a significant backlog of cases. As of March 2026, a total of 92,882 matters remain pending before the court. This includes 73,209 civil cases and 19,673 criminal cases, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the country’s highest judicial body.
