On 29-12-2025, the Supreme Court of India issued two important administrative circulars aimed at ensuring uniformity in listing of cases and improving court management through stricter adherence to timelines for oral arguments.
In a circular bearing F. No. 28/Judl./2025, the Chief Justice of India directed that, with immediate effect, the causelist for Miscellaneous days before all courts shall follow a standardised order of priority. The revised framework sets out 16 categories, beginning with early hearing applications in admitted matters and fresh matters, and culminating with direction matters. Significantly, four new categories have been introduced to ensure priority listing for vulnerable sections, namely cases relating to specially abled persons and acid attack victims, senior citizens aged above 80 years, persons below the poverty line, and legal aid matters.
The circular mandates that advocates, parties-in-person and other stakeholders must specifically mention the relevant category under which their case falls while filing fresh petitions. Documentary proof issued by an appropriate government authority is required to be submitted along with an application or letter. Similar details are also to be furnished in pending matters to enable the Registry to update and prioritise such cases appropriately.
|
Srl.No. |
Head |
|
1 |
Early hearing Application in admitted matters |
|
2 |
Fresh matters |
|
3 |
Bail matters |
|
4 |
Post-notice Ad-interim Stay matters |
|
5 |
Freshly Adjourned Matters |
|
6 |
Personal appearance cases/Settlement cases |
|
7 |
Cases relating to Specially Abled persons + Acid attack Victims |
|
8 |
Cases relating to Senior Citizens (aged above 80 years) |
|
9 |
Cases involving persons who are Below Poverty Line |
|
10 |
Legal Aid matters |
|
11 |
Transfer Petitions |
|
12 |
Orders (Incomplete matters/IA’s/Crl.M.P’s) |
|
13 |
Public Interest Litigations |
|
14 |
Part heard matters |
|
15 |
Remaining post-Notice matters:
|
|
16 |
Direction matters |
The Supreme Court issued another circular bearing F. No. 29/Judl./2025 and laid down a Standard Operating Procedure for submission of oral arguments in post-notice and regular hearing matters. The Court required Senior Advocates, arguing counsel and Advocates-on-Record to submit timelines for oral arguments at least one day prior to the commencement of hearing, through the online Appearance Slip portal.
Further, Counsels are required to file a brief note or written submissions not exceeding five pages, after serving a copy on the opposite side, at least three days before the date of hearing. It was also emphasised that all counsel must strictly adhere to the timelines fixed and conclude their oral arguments accordingly, with a view to facilitating effective court management, equitable distribution of court working hours and speedy administration of justice